USF Fights Off Late Orange Charge

Wednesday, February 13

Sun Dome

7:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

USF

Freshman floor leader Jonny Flynn tallied 16 points and six assists against USF on Wednesday.

2/13/2008 9:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. – Freshman forward Donte' Greene led three Syracuse (16-9, 6-6) scorers in double figures with 17 points and nine rebounds, but a resilient rally in the final seven minutes proved fruitless in the Orange's 89-78 setback against South Florida (11-14, 2-10) on Wednesday at the Sun Dome.

Sophomore Paul Harris totaled 14 points on 5-for-8 shooting overall, posted six rebounds and handed out six assists. Freshman point guard Jonny Flynn tallied 16 points, dished six helpers and added four rebounds in his sixth-straight contest playing the full 40 minutes. The reigning BIG EAST Rookie of the Week has logged more than 257 consecutive minutes dating back to Syracuse's meeting with Villanova on January 19.

Freshman center Rick Jackson provided a spirited 17 minutes off the bench for the Orange. The Philadelphia, Pa., native paired seven points with a career-best five blocked shots. Freshman combo guard Scoop Jardine, a high school teammate of Jackson's, collected 10 points, distributed a team-best seven assists and secured a squad-leading three steals in 37 minutes as a reserve.

The Orange shot a scorching 65.6 percent from the field and overcame a 20-point second-half deficit, cutting the South Florida lead to three points with 1:18 remaining following a three-point basket from junior Kristof Ongenaet. Syracuse roared back with a 15-5 run after trailing by 17 points at the 6:57 mark. Ongenaet's trifecta capped an 11-2 run over slightly less than two minutes. Jackson ignited the run with a two-hand stuff with 3:12 remaining in the second half.

However, SU would climb no closer after USF guard Dominique Jones sunk two free throws with 57 ticks left to provide a five-point edge.

Syracuse struggled to find a rhythm on the offensive end in the first half, shooting just 9-for-24 from the field overall without a three-point basket. The Orange endured a field goal drought that lasted nearly nine minutes and ended with a jump-shot from Jardine at the 4:39 mark. The South Florida lead grew to 18 points, 34-16, on the ensuing possession following an offensive rebound and putback lay-in from Jesus Verdejo.

However, Syracuse closed the first stanza with a sudden burst of momentum, trimming the Bulls' cushion to 14 points at 38-24. Following a lay-in from Jardine, Flynn converted an old-fashion three-point play off an odd-man break with 32 seconds remaining. In the half's waning seconds, Jardine found Jackson on the other end of a lob pass for a two-hand flush.

In the opening minutes of the second half, SU quickly narrowed the USF advantage to 10 points following a mid-range jumper from Greene. Jardine keyed the Orange's burst with a fall-away seven-footer before Onuaku converted a lay-in in the paint. The Bulls responded with an 11-2 run, pushing their lead to 19 points at 51-32. Less than two minutes following, another lay-in from Verdejo extended the USF advantage to a game-high 20 points.

The Orange refused to surrender with a full-court press and incessant half-court man-to-man defense. Syracuse cut the lead to 12 points following a thunderous dunk from a slashing Onuaku and off a nifty feed from Flynn on the break. Minutes later, the Orange comeback mounted, built steam and twice came within 11 points after a driving lay-in from Flynn and an acrobatic reverse from Greene.

The South Florida attack was keyed by Jones and senior Kentrell Gransberry. Jones tallied a team-high 29 points while Gransberry added 23 and nine rebounds. The Bulls shot 7-for-15 from beyond the arc and 26-for-32 from the charity stripe, including a 12-for-12 clip in the final minute.

Syracuse returns to the Carrier Dome on Saturday, February 16 against BIG EAST rival Georgetown at noon. The Orange will look to avenge a 64-62 overtime loss at the hands of the Hoyas on January 21. SU fans can catch the 'Cuse and Georgetown on ESPN.

Tickets for the Georgetown game may be purchased on-line (click here), over the phone (1-888-DOMETIX), or in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office during normal business hours. Once again, fans will be able to receive their tickets immediately after their purchase, using the "Print At Home" delivery method. For additional information, fans can contact the Carrier Dome Box Office toll free (888-366-3849) or (315-443-2121).