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Syracuse University
Villanova University
3/3 SU Topped By 7/7 Nova, 83-72
1/22/2011 12:07:18 PM | Men's Basketball
Syracuse 72, Viillanova 83 l Coach Boeheim Quotes l Player Quotes l Photo Gallery
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – 3/3 Syracuse (18-2, 5-2) was topped by 7/7 Villanova (17-2, 5-1), 83-72, in front of 33,736 fans at the Carrier Dome on Saturday. It was the second-largest on-campus crowd in college basketball history.
Senior Rick Jackson grabbed his 800th career rebound in the second half and recorded his 13th career double-double with 16 points and 15 boards.
With 4:09 remaining in regulation, Kris Joseph hit a runner in the lane to make it 69-61, Villanova. An offensive put-back by Jackson and a fast break dunk by Joseph cut Nova's lead to four, 69-65, with 2:37 on the clock.
The Wildcats sank four consecutive shots from the charity stripe to take an eight-point lead. Freshman Baye Moussa Keita responded with a dunk and SU trailed by six with 1:42 remaining. Villanova went 8-8 from the free throw line in the final two minutes to secure the win.
The Orange and the Wildcats traded baskets to start the opening half and there were seven lead changes in the first seven minutes. Joseph nailed two shots from behind the arc during that stretch to keep the game close.
Back-to-back three-pointers by Villanova gave the 'Cats a 24-14 lead at the 10:04 mark. Freshman Dion Waiters answered with a trifecta for SU but 'Nova came right back with another long-range three. The Wildcats led by as much as 14, 34-20 with six minutes remaining in the first half and held a 40-29 advantage at intermission.
The two teams once again alternated baskets to start the second half and Villanova maintained its double-digits lead at the 15:32 mark, 48-38.
Joseph had nine consecutive points to bring the Orange within nine, 55-46. A three-point play by Jackson narrowed the gap to six, 55-49 at the 12:25 mark. Nova went on a 6-0 run to regain the advantage, 61-49 with 8:45 remaining in the second half. Brandon Triche responded with a three-pointer to make it 61-52.
Joseph finished with a game high 23 points and two blocks. Joining Joseph and Jackson in double-figures was Triche with 14.
Syracuse won the battle in the paint, scoring 32 of its points around the rim, while holding Nova to just 16. The Wildcats made up the difference with its outside game, shooting 11-24 (.458) from three-point range. The 'Cats went 25-50 (.500) from the floor overall and hit 22 of its 24 (.917) free throw attempts.
Villanova, led by head coach Jay Wright, was paced by sophomore Maalik Wayns' 21 points, including 17 in the first half.
Jackson became the fifth player in Syracuse history to record 1,000 points, 800 rebounds and 200 blocked shots. He joined Derrick Coleman, Roosevelt Bouie, Rony Seikaly and Etan Thomas in the exclusive group.
Saturday marked the 69th time Syracuse has had a crowd of 30,000-or-larger. The 33,736 fell shy of the record of 34,616, set a year ago against Villanova.
Syracuse will welcome Seton Hall to the Carrier Dome on Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. Syracuse fans can catch the Orange against the Pirates 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.
