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Syracuse University
Providence College
81-74 Win Against Providence Keeps SU Unbeaten
12/28/2010 9:57:13 PM | Men's Basketball
Syracuse 81, Providence 74 l Coach Boeheim Quotes l Player Quotes l Photo Gallery
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Junior Kris Joseph's career high 27 points helped 5/5 Syracuse (14-0) start BIG EAST Conference play 1-0 and remain unbeaten this season with an 81-74 win against Providence (11-3).
The Orange are 14-0 for the fourth time in head coach Jim Boeheim's tenure.
Syracuse made 15-of-20 free throws in the second half, including 6-of-8 in the final minute of play, to secure the win. With 1:26 remaining in regulation and Syracuse up 73-69, Joseph slammed home a dunk on an assist from Scoop Jardine. Senior Rick Jackson went 3-of-4 from the charity stripe down the stretch to put SU up 78-71, but the Friar's Duke Mondy responded with a three-pointer. Joseph sank two free throws and Jardine added one more to hold off Providence's counterattack.
SU's first nine points of the game came from behind the three-point arc, including two long-range jumpers from Joseph to help the Orange. With the game tied 13-13, Joseph and sophomore James Southerland each knocked down long-range jumpers to give SU a 19-13 advantage with 10:11 to play in the first half. A dunk by Jackson with 3:29 on the game clock gave the Orange its first double-digit lead of the night, 35-25.
Seventeen of Joseph's points came in the first half, including a career high four three-pointers, to give SU a 42-32 advantage at the break.
Joseph continued to produce for the Orange in the second stanza and scored its first five points, but the Friars cut SU's lead to five, 47-42, with 16:08 remaining in regulation. The two teams traded baskets during the first portion of the second half and Providence came as close as four points.
Jardine scored nine points during a 14-2 run for Syracuse that produced the biggest lead of the night for the Orange, 65-49. The Friars responded with a 9-2 run of their own and Providence trailed by just five points, 68-63 at the 4:41 mark, but could not manage the comeback.
Jackson controlled the paint on the defensive end for the Orange, grabbing 17 of SU's 37 rebounds and added nine points. Jardine came alive in the second half, scoring 17 of his 21 points, which included eight free throws. Sophomore Brandon Triche rounded out Syracuse's players in double-digits with 15 points.
Providence, led by head coach Keno Davis, was paced by Marshon Brooks' 27 points and six rebounds.
Syracuse will wrap up a six-game home stand when it welcomes Notre Dame to the Carrier Dome New Year's Day at 3:30 p.m. Syracuse fans can catch the Orange against the Fighting Irish on the ESPNU. 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.
