Connecticut Comeback Crushed

Syracuse squandered a 48-34 lead with 14 minutes left to play, but held on to defeat Connecticut 72-67 in men’s college basketball. The second ranked Orange held a 16 point lead in the second half before the Huskies pulled within three points. UConn staged a furious rally to tie the score, but couldn’t get over the hump. Wednesday was the first time since the epic six overtime affair between the Big East rivals. Syracuse hung on to top Connecticut and snag their 11th straight victory. The Orange improved to 24-1 overall. For the Huskies, the game marked their sixth road loss of the season. UConn is 0-6 on the road and 1-5 against ranked opponents. Syracuse is on a ten game winning streak for the second time this season.
Rick Jackson led the Orange with 15 points but it was the Huskies’ Jerome Dyson leading all scorers with 19 points and five assists. Dyson notched the tying basket with 2:33 to play. The Connecticut senior guard paced the Huskies and was 7-of-21 from the field with 8 rebounds. The game tying shot was followed by a critical and controversial timeout call. The Huskies didn’t wilt, even after being down by seven at the intermission and trailing by as many as 10 in the first half. Even without Jim Calhoun on the sidelines, Connecticut ripped through the Carrier Dome hard enough to scare the Orange. Stanley Robinson added 16 points for the visiting team, but only made two second half points. Kemba Walker accounted for 14 and Gavin Edwards 12 for UConn. Syracuse junior, Scoop Jardine, clocked 21 minutes and scored 7 points. Wes Johnson finished with a baker’s dozen points and matched teammate, Arinze Onuaku, with a game high nine rebounds.
Dyson missed a chance to give the Huskies the lead with over a minute left when jumper bounced off the rim. Andy Rautins, the Orange’s indispensible senior guard, scored eight points but was summoned to the bench after being whistled for his fourth foul at 50-34 ‘Cuse. The offense wobbled and the defense allowed the Huskies back in the game without Rautins. The Huskies went on a 14-2 run and were within one point (61-60) after a Dyson trey with just over four minutes. Connecticut outrebounded the Orange in the second half 26-14. They dominated the glass but were unable to control the game. Syracuse managed to survive the contest on a pair of Johnson free throws with 33 second remaining. The Orange lead would not be threatened again. Dyson missed a three-pointer with 13.5 seconds and Kris Joseph hit two more from the charity stripe to give the Orange a four point edge. This matchup wasn’t heading into overtime. It ended in regulation with the Orange coming out winners.

Parting Points: Song of the day- “If It Makes You Happy” by Sheryl Crow
Happy Birthday Sheryl!