Syracuse University
Northern Iowa
#10/13 SU Starts Season Victorious
11/12/2010 7:04:43 PM | Men's Basketball
Syracuse 68, Northern Iowa 46 l Coach Boeheim Quotes l Player Quotes l Photo Gallery
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – A 21-5 Orange run to start the second half lifted No. 10/13 Syracuse (1-0) past Northern Iowa (0-1), 68-46, in its regular-season opener at the Carrier Dome on Friday. Senior Rick Jackson and junior Kris Joseph lead the Orange with 14 points apiece.
Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim earned the 830th victory of his career and moved into a fifth-place tie with former Mt. St. Mary's mentor Jim Phelan on the list of winningest Division I men's coaches.
Both teams got off to a slow start as the score was just 8-7 in favor of the Panthers at the 10-minute mark. SU's rookie's provided a boost for the Orange late in the first half with consecutive field goals from freshmen #C.J. Fair and Dion Waiters# to put SU up, 17-14.
Syracuse's defense limited Northern Iowa to 8-of-30 shooting (.273) from the field in the opening period and the team's headed to the intermission with the Orange ahead, 23-20.
SU's 21-5 run at the start of the second half was led by Joseph's 10 points. Back-to-back three-pointers by Joseph and sophomore Mookie Jones put SU up 55-35 with 5:24 remaining in regulation to put the game out of reach for the Panthers.
The Orange converted on 15-of-23 (.652) shot attempts in the second half to more than double its shooting percentage from the first stanza. Syracuse hit nine shots from behind the arc, including seven three-pointers in the second half. Sophomore James Southerland was a perfect 2-2 from long range. SU proved to have depth as 31 of its points came from its talented bench.
At the other end, the Panthers converted 15-of-55 (.273) from the field, including a 6-of-33 effort (.182) from behind the arc. Johnny Moran led the visitors with 15 points.
Waiters joined Jackson and Joseph in double-figures with 10 points, including seven in the first half. Jackson also recorded a game-high seven rebounds, while Joseph had five boards.
Walk-on Matt Tomaszewski scored his first points for the Orange, converting a three-pointer in the final minute.
The Orange continues its four-game home streak on Sunday, November 14 when it welcomes Canisius to the Carrier Dome on at 3:00 p.m. Syracuse fans can catch the Orange against the Griffins on ESPU. Tickets can be purchased online, over the phone at 888-DOMETIX or in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office during normal business hours. For additional information, fans can contact the Carrier Dome Box Office toll free 888-366-3849 or 315-443-2121.
