Tuesday, December 20
Syracuse, NY
7:00 p.m.
Syracuse University
80
vs
61
Bucknell
Christmas had a c areer-high 10 points
Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
No. 1 Syracuse Defeats Bucknell, 80-61
12/20/2011 7:30:58 PM | Men's Basketball
Box Score | Season Statistics | Photo Gallery | Coach Boeheim Quotes | Player Quotes
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – No. 1 Syracuse had three players reach double figures to help the Orange (12-0) defeat Bucknell (7-5), 80-61, on Tuesday night at the Carrier Dome.
Kris Joseph led all scorers with 17 points and reached double-figures for the ninth time this season. Scoop Jardine scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half, while Rakeem Christmas tallied a career-high 10 points in the win.
Fab Melo matched a career-high with nine rebounds to go along with his eight points. The Orange shot 53 percent from the floor (28-of-53) and held the advantage on the glass by six, 36-30.
Bucknell's Joe Willman opened the scoring to give the Bison a 2-0 lead, but that would be the visitors only lead of the contest. Christmas scored the first seven points for Syracuse, including an offensive rebound and put back slam to put the Orange ahead for good.
With the Orange up 15-8 at the under 12 minute time out, James Southerland converted one of two from the line, and then drained a three. A Joseph driving layup followed, stretching SU's lead to 21-8.
The Orange gained its largest lead of the half with under two minutes to go courtesy of a jumper by Jardine, and the Orange took a comfortable 17-point advantage into the break, 39-22.
Two free throws from Joseph at the 16:53 mark of the second half provided SU with its largest margin of the contest at 47-24, but a 12-3 Bucknell run over a three-minute span cut the Orange lead to 50-36.
SU would not let Bucknell get closer than 13 points in the second half. A Matt Tomaszewski three pointer in the closing seconds brought SU to its season average of 80 points a game, and provided the final score of 80-61. This was the third consecutive game the Orange has reached the 80-point plateau.
Freshman Michael Carter-Williams set a new career-high with six points, while grabbing three rebounds and dishing out four helpers in 22 minutes of action.
Bucknell's Mike Muscala led the Bison charge with 14 points and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line. Willman and reserve player Ben Brackney joined Muscala in double-figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The top-ranked Orange is back in action on Thursday against Tulane (11-1) inside the Carrier Dome. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Fans can buy tickets online, at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B) or by calling 1-888-DOMETIX.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – No. 1 Syracuse had three players reach double figures to help the Orange (12-0) defeat Bucknell (7-5), 80-61, on Tuesday night at the Carrier Dome.
Kris Joseph led all scorers with 17 points and reached double-figures for the ninth time this season. Scoop Jardine scored 12 of his 14 points in the second half, while Rakeem Christmas tallied a career-high 10 points in the win.
Fab Melo matched a career-high with nine rebounds to go along with his eight points. The Orange shot 53 percent from the floor (28-of-53) and held the advantage on the glass by six, 36-30.
Bucknell's Joe Willman opened the scoring to give the Bison a 2-0 lead, but that would be the visitors only lead of the contest. Christmas scored the first seven points for Syracuse, including an offensive rebound and put back slam to put the Orange ahead for good.
With the Orange up 15-8 at the under 12 minute time out, James Southerland converted one of two from the line, and then drained a three. A Joseph driving layup followed, stretching SU's lead to 21-8.
The Orange gained its largest lead of the half with under two minutes to go courtesy of a jumper by Jardine, and the Orange took a comfortable 17-point advantage into the break, 39-22.
Two free throws from Joseph at the 16:53 mark of the second half provided SU with its largest margin of the contest at 47-24, but a 12-3 Bucknell run over a three-minute span cut the Orange lead to 50-36.
SU would not let Bucknell get closer than 13 points in the second half. A Matt Tomaszewski three pointer in the closing seconds brought SU to its season average of 80 points a game, and provided the final score of 80-61. This was the third consecutive game the Orange has reached the 80-point plateau.
Freshman Michael Carter-Williams set a new career-high with six points, while grabbing three rebounds and dishing out four helpers in 22 minutes of action.
Bucknell's Mike Muscala led the Bison charge with 14 points and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line. Willman and reserve player Ben Brackney joined Muscala in double-figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The top-ranked Orange is back in action on Thursday against Tulane (11-1) inside the Carrier Dome. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Fans can buy tickets online, at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B) or by calling 1-888-DOMETIX.
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