Syracuse University
West Virginia University
Boeheim Hits 850 Win Milestone Versus WVU
2/14/2011 7:08:39 PM | Men's Basketball
Syracuse 63, West Virginia 52 l Coach Boeheim Quotes l Player Quotes l Photo Gallery
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Head coach Jim Boeheim earned his 850th career win as #17/20 Syracuse (21-6, 8-6) beat rv/rv West Virginia (16-9, 7-6), 63-52, on Valentine's Day at the Carrier Dome. Boeheim is currently second in wins among active Division I coaches, while West Virginia's Bob Huggins ranks fourth with 686 career victories.
A monster dunk by senior Rick Jackson and a three-point play by sophomore Brandon Triche gave SU a 49-42 lead with 11:37 remaining in the second half. By the eight-minute mark, West Virginia had cut SU's lead to two, 51-49.
Two consecutive steals by SU helped the Orange reestablish an eight-point lead, 57-49, with 6:25 remaining in regulation. Jackson hit junior Kris Joseph on a backdoor cut for a dunk and Syracuse led, 61-52, with 3:35 to play. Two free throws by Joseph gave the Orange its first double-digit lead of the contest, 63-52, which would remain the final score.
The first half featured back-and-forth play with three lead changes and the game was tied on four occasions.
West Virginia took an early 7-3 lead but a 7-0 run gave SU a 10-7 advantage at the 13:12 mark of the first half. A three-pointer by WVU's Casey Mitchell tied the game at 14 with 10:37 to play.
The two teams traded baskets and the game was knotted again 20-20 for more than two minutes. Triche broke the tie with his fast break layup at the 6:04 mark. With two minutes remaining in the first half, the score was once again even at 24. Two consecutive three-pointers by West Virginia gave the Mountaineers its largest lead of the night, 30-24 with 1:15 on the clock.
Syracuse was trailing 30-26 and held the ball for one last possession, but a three-point attempt by freshman Dion Waiters rimmed out.
The Orange came out of the locker room strong in the second half and regained its lead, 38-35, at the 17- minute mark, compliments of consecutive three's by Triche and junior Scoop Jardine. Those two buckets jump started a 14-2 run that included eight points from Triche.
WVU went 11-22 (.500) from behind the arc, but SU's inside game was enough to lead the Orange to its eighth BIG EAST victory.
Triche led the Orange with 20 points, including 13 in the second half. Joseph finished with 16 points and Jackson added 10 points and nine rebounds. Jardine dished out six of SU's 12 assists and contributed nine points.
Syracuse scored 34 of its points in the paint and held the Mountaineers to just four points around the rim. SU's 13 steals helped the Orange record 19 points on fast breaks and Syracuse did not allow a fast break bucket by West Virginia. The Orange held a commanding advantage on the boards, 35-28.
West Virginia was paced by Mitchell's 23 points, including seven three-pointers.
Syracuse will welcome Rutgers to the Carrier Dome on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 4 p.m. Syracuse fans can catch the Orange against the Scarlet Knights 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.
