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Syracuse University
University of Louisville
Jardine Scores 20 In Final Game At Freedom Hall
3/6/2010 4:05:06 PM | Men's Basketball
Louisville, Ky. -- Scoop Jardine had 20 points and Wes Johnson 18 to paced the top-ranked Orange in a 78-68 loss at Louisville in the last Cardinals' game to be played in Freedom Hall. Jardine also had six assists, two steals and two rebounds in 31 minutes. Syracuse (28-3 overall, 15-3 BIG EAST) won the BIG EAST regular-season title and earned the top seed in the 2010 BIG EAST Tournament. The Orange earned a double-bye for the conference tournament and will play in the quarterfinals at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday.
Johnson scored all seven of his first-half points in the opening eight minutes and added 11 points in the second half, giving him double-figures in scoring for the 28th time in 31 games this season. He also had five rebounds and two blocked shots. Junior Rick Jackson recorded his third double-double of the season, contributing 10 points and 10 rebounds, while senior Arinze Onuaku added 14 points and seven rebounds.
Syracuse led 35-30 at halftime, but Louisville outscored the Orange 48-33 in the second half to win the game. The Cardinals used a 10-2 run in a four-minute stretch mid-way through the second half to take control of the game. Syracuse cut the Cardinals lead to five, 66-61, on an Onuaku layup with 5:20 remaining in the game, but could not get closer. Louisville's Kyle Kuric came off the bench to lead all scorers with 22 points, including four three-point field goals.
In the first half, the Orange took the lead with 6:30 remaining when Jackson scored on an ally-oop from Jardine to make the score 21-20. Jardine sparked SU off the bench with nine points, on 4-of-5 shooting, and four assists in 12 minutes.
With 1:17 remaining in the first half, Jardine gave the Orange an eight-point lead, 35-27, scoring on a breakaway layup after Andy Rautins made a steal and completed a full-court pass to Jardine.
Onuaku led the Orange with 10 first half points, hitting 5-of-6 from the field, while Jackson led the Orange on the boards, pulling down eight rebounds in the first half.
