SYRACUSE - The Syracuse University men's basketball team saw its 23-point bulge whittled down to six, but woke up in time for a 76-64 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday night at the Carrier Dome.
Syracuse's Jeremy McNeil dunks as Virginia Tech's Bryant Matthews looks on. Kevin Rivoli / The Associated Press
The win ended a two-game losing streak.
The 20th-ranked Orangemen (14-3; 4-20) were without starting point guard Billy Edelin. Syracuse's department of athletic communications released a statement saying Edelin would not play for an indefinite period of time.
The statement said it was a personal issue "not related to basketball or academics, according to head coach Jim Boeheim. There are no school or NCAA violations."
Edelin suited up and participated in pre-game warmups. When asked after the game about Edelin's status, Boeheim said the statement spoke for him and he was not going to add anything to it.
At first it didn't look like the Orange were going to need Edelin, taking a 20-point lead at the half.
Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg tore into his 8-10 team at halftime, and they responded with a 14-0 run that got them within six at 51-45 with 13:18 remaining. The Hokies took advantage of some lax Orange defense and turnovers.
"We made some uncharacteristic turnovers; we had 20 and that's not our game," Boeheim said. "When we turn it over more than 12 times, that's going to hurt us."
Josh Pace ended Syracuse's 4:39 scoring drought with a layin from Hakim Warrick. The Hokies' Allen Calloway responded with a basket, but then the Orange defense stiffened, keying a 10-0 run over the next four minutes.
Warrick slammed in two of his 15 points off a pretty alley oop from Gerry McNamara, who had stolen the ball.
McNamara later nailed a three after a Louie McCroskey miss ended up in the hands of Jeremy McNeil, who quickly got it out to an open McNamara.
McNamara played the point in Edelin's absence and led the Orangemen with 26 points, shooting 6-of-14 from three-point range and 6-of-6 from the line with five assists.
"Gerry got a little tired but he's a pretty tough physical player," Boeheim said.
On the Hokies' next possession, McNamara stole the ball and passed to McNeil, who got it to Warrick for another slam.
"They doubled (me) every time, they me made work for everything," Warrick said. "But I think my teammates did a good job coming to the ball and hitting shots."
When the run ended, the Orange's lead was a healthy 16 points, at 63-47, with 8:23 remaining. The Hokies never got to within single digits again.
Boeheim shifted Pace (12 points) from forward to guard and started freshman Demetris Nichols at forward. Nichols played well, scoring SU's first four points and finishing with 12, including a pair of threes.
"He played really aggressive," Warrick said. "He was a big part of our win."
Jeremy McNeil saw playing time after not playing last week against Pitt. He finished with seven points and five rebounds.
"He got to the boards the best I've seen him this year, Boeheim said.
Jamon Gordon led the Hokies with 21 points and Bryant Matthews was held to 18, six points off his average, which was first in the Big East.
The Orangemen next play at sixth-ranked UConn on Monday (ESPN; 7 p.m.) in what should be another tough test. The Huskies beat the Orangemen twice last season.
"I've thought from the beginning of the year they're the best team in the country and I haven't changed my mind," Boeheim said. "It will be a tremendous challenge for us."
The 20th-ranked Orangemen (14-3; 4-20) were without starting point guard Billy Edelin. Syracuse's department of athletic communications released a statement saying Edelin would not play for an indefinite period of time.
The statement said it was a personal issue "not related to basketball or academics, according to head coach Jim Boeheim. There are no school or NCAA violations."
Edelin suited up and participated in pre-game warmups. When asked after the game about Edelin's status, Boeheim said the statement spoke for him and he was not going to add anything to it.
At first it didn't look like the Orange were going to need Edelin, taking a 20-point lead at the half.
Virginia Tech coach Seth Greenberg tore into his 8-10 team at halftime, and they responded with a 14-0 run that got them within six at 51-45 with 13:18 remaining. The Hokies took advantage of some lax Orange defense and turnovers.
"We made some uncharacteristic turnovers; we had 20 and that's not our game," Boeheim said. "When we turn it over more than 12 times, that's going to hurt us."
Josh Pace ended Syracuse's 4:39 scoring drought with a layin from Hakim Warrick. The Hokies' Allen Calloway responded with a basket, but then the Orange defense stiffened, keying a 10-0 run over the next four minutes.
Warrick slammed in two of his 15 points off a pretty alley oop from Gerry McNamara, who had stolen the ball.
McNamara later nailed a three after a Louie McCroskey miss ended up in the hands of Jeremy McNeil, who quickly got it out to an open McNamara.
McNamara played the point in Edelin's absence and led the Orangemen with 26 points, shooting 6-of-14 from three-point range and 6-of-6 from the line with five assists.
"Gerry got a little tired but he's a pretty tough physical player," Boeheim said.
On the Hokies' next possession, McNamara stole the ball and passed to McNeil, who got it to Warrick for another slam.
"They doubled (me) every time, they me made work for everything," Warrick said. "But I think my teammates did a good job coming to the ball and hitting shots."
When the run ended, the Orange's lead was a healthy 16 points, at 63-47, with 8:23 remaining. The Hokies never got to within single digits again.
Boeheim shifted Pace (12 points) from forward to guard and started freshman Demetris Nichols at forward. Nichols played well, scoring SU's first four points and finishing with 12, including a pair of threes.
"He played really aggressive," Warrick said. "He was a big part of our win."
Jeremy McNeil saw playing time after not playing last week against Pitt. He finished with seven points and five rebounds.
"He got to the boards the best I've seen him this year, Boeheim said.
Jamon Gordon led the Hokies with 21 points and Bryant Matthews was held to 18, six points off his average, which was first in the Big East.
The Orangemen next play at sixth-ranked UConn on Monday (ESPN; 7 p.m.) in what should be another tough test. The Huskies beat the Orangemen twice last season.
"I've thought from the beginning of the year they're the best team in the country and I haven't changed my mind," Boeheim said. "It will be a tremendous challenge for us."
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