Flynn Records a Career-high 35 Points as Friars Secure 100-94 Victory Against the Orange

Wednesday, January 28

Dunkin Donuts Center

7:00 p.m.

Syracuse University

100

Providence

Sophomore Jonny Flynn posted a career-high 35 points against the Friars.

Flynn Records a Career-high 35 Points as Friars Secure 100-94 Victory Against the Orange

1/28/2009 9:05:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – A career-high 35 points from sophomore Jonny Flynn and 27 points from junior Eric Devendorf proved too little as Providence secured a 100-94 victory against #15/15 Syracuse (17-5, 5-4) at the Dunkin Donuts Center. The Friars (14-6, 6-2) won their first game against the Orange since the 2003-04 season when Providence posted a 71-64 victory versus the Orange in Rhode Island.

Sophomore Rick Jackson added 14 points to the SU team total and recorded his third double-double of his career with 10 rebounds. Flynn was 12-of-22 from the field and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the foul line, while Devendorf was 6-of-13 from beyond the arc.

A long-range three-pointer from Sharaud Curry, followed up by a steal and layup from Geoff McDermott less than three minutes into the second half proved to be the turning point in the game for the Friars. It sparked a 16-6 PC run to put the Friars up by 11, 65-54, with 13:27 to play.

Syracuse fought back to within six, 67-61, courtesy of two points each from Flynn and Devendorf, and a layup and free throw from Jackson. Less than two minutes later, Providence was back up by 11, 73-62, after four points from Jonathan Kale and a basket from McDermott.

Providence grabbed its largest lead of the game on a 12-4 run capped off by back-to-back trifectas from Curry and Marshon Brooks for a 79-65 advantage. Syracuse didn't give up and was back within seven, 88-81, with 1:51 left in the game. Six points from Flynn, four from Jackson and treys from both Devendorf and junior Paul Harris kept the Orange in the game.

Devendorf's final three of the night came with 1:51 left on the clock to bring SU within five, but eight trips to the line for the Friars for 11 points secured their win.

Providence improved its shooting from 45 percent (18-of-40) in the first half to a solid 66.7 percent (18-of-27) in the second. The Friars were 5-of-9 (55.6 percent) from beyond the arc in the second half, as well. Both teams shot above 50 percent for the game, including a 50.8 percent (33-of-65) effort by the Orange.

The two teams were neck-and-neck for much of the first period. Tied 19-19 midway through, the Orange secured its largest lead of the game, 27-21, after freshman Kris Joseph went 2-for-2 from the line, Devendorf grabbed a fastbreak layup and Flynn connected on two buckets.

However, Syracuse couldn't keep the momentum going and the teams were tied 37-37 at the 2:59 mark. The two clubs went back and forth until the Orange had a 44-41 edge after charity buckets from senior Kristof Ongenaet with less than a minute until the intermission. Brooks tied the game with a three-pointer for the final score of the opening period.

Harris contributed eight points and senior Kristof Ongenaet added six for SU. Ongenaet started in place of injured junior Arinze Onuaku, whose streak of 56 consecutive starts came to an end tonight, after he missed the last two days of practice due to a knee injury suffered against Louisville.

The Friars had six players record double-digit point totals. Curry had 22, Brooks has 17 and McDermott had 15 to lead Providence, while Kale posted 14 and both Weyinmi Efejuku and Randall Hanke had 12 points apiece. Providence is the first school to score 100 points against the Orange since Massachusetts tallied 107 early in the 2007-08 season.

Syracuse is back in action on Wednesday, February 4 when it hosts RV/RV West Virginia. Action with the Mountaineers begins at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online at SUathletics.com, by phone at 1-800-DomeTIX or in person at the Dome during regular business hours.