Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Syracuse opens Big East schedule in Style

Another fine shooting performance from Andy Rautins led Syracuse to a huge 100-76 win over Seton Hall to open Big East play at the Carrier Dome on Tuesday evening.

Rutins made 7 three-pointers and finished with a game-high 26 points. The lights out shooting performance comes one game after Rautins lit up Coppin State for 9 three-pointers. The hometown kid has now hit 16-of-26 3's the last two games while averaging 27.5 points.

Eric Devendorf returned for the Orange and looked very good doing so. The junior had 16 first half points and finished with 20 points. The 11th ranked Orange led 54-35 at the break and put on a highlight show in the second half with some rim rattling dunks.

The Orange ended up with five players in double figures. Arinze Onuaku, Jonny Flynn and Rick Jackson also in doubles for the Orange.

The addition of Rick Jackson to the starting lineup has been a positive for the Orange. The sophomore from Philadelphia had his way inside with the Pirates scoring 14 points, despite picking up two early fouls. The 14 points matches a career high for the Orange, which had both an inside and an outside game to counter the Pirates.

The one concern for the Orange is the hand injury sustained by Paul Harris. The junior from Buffalo cut his hand on the rim on a defensive play near the end of the first half and did not return. It did not appear serious, but it did keep him from reentering.

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