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Syracuse University
Iona
SU Extends Winning Streak Against Iona
12/18/2010 8:02:09 PM | Men's Basketball
Syracuse 83, Iona 77 l Coach Boeheim Quotes l Player Quotes l Photo Gallery
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Junior Kris Joseph was just one point shy of his season high with 21 points, as No. 5/5 Syracuse (11-0) defeated Iona (7-4), 83-77, on Saturday at the Carrier Dome. SU remains unbeaten this season, while the Gaels' seven game winning streak came to an end.
Sophomore James Southerland made some noise off the bench in the second half for the Orange with a long three-pointer and two straight dunks to put Syracuse up by 13, 74-61. With 4:41 remaining in regulation, Joseph added another monster dunk in transition on an assist from Brandon Triche.
Back-to-back threes by Iona cut SU's lead to seven, 77-70 with 2:48 to play. The Gaels could not manage a field goal in the final two minutes of play until Sean Armand nailed a three with 12 seconds remaining, but it was too late for Iona. The Orange went seven-for-eight from the charity stripe in the last minute of regulation to seal the win.
The Orange jumped out to an early 10-4 lead to start the non-conference matchup, compliments of three points from Joseph and five from Triche. The Gaels pulled within one, 13-12, but back-to-back field goals by Joseph and Triche made it 18-12 SU. Near the ten minute mark, junior Scoop Jardine scored two consecutive baskets to advance SU's lead to nine, 27-18.
At the 5:32 mark, a dunk by Dion Waiters, off a steal by #C.J. Fair#, gave Syracuse its largest lead of the first half, 31-20. Iona fought back to cut the Orange lead to two points with just over two minutes to play, 31-33. Triche sank two free throws with 12 seconds remaining in the first half to produce a score of 37-31 at the break.
The two teams traded buckets for the first five minutes of the second half until the Orange scored eight unanswered points to take a 56-44 lead with 12:48 to play. Iona chipped away at SU's lead and came as close as five points, 79-74, but the Orange took care of business at the foul line and warded off the Gaels attack.
Triche finished with 14 points and a career high-tying seven assists as he directed SU's offense. Jardine and Waiters joined Triche and Joseph in double-figures with 11 and 14, respectively.
Syracuse shot a season-best 32-of-54 from the floor (.593) and held Iona to a .448 shooting percentage. The Orange doubled the Gaels' production in the paint, scoring 52 of its points around the rim.
Syracuse will welcome Morgan State to the Carrier Dome on Monday, December 20 at 7 p.m. Syracuse fans can catch the Orange against the Bears on the BIG EAST Network. 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.
