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View Full Version : 'Cuse giving Frosh class a look - 2-0


yagsy
11-10-2005, 10:15 AM
Syracuse runs streak over Cornell to 29 straight
Score: 67-62


SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) -- If Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim hopes to rely on the Orange's perimeter game this season, he has a lot of work ahead.

Terrence Roberts had 19 points and 14 rebounds and freshman guard Eric Devendorf scored three baskets to key a late surge as No. 16 Syracuse held off Cornell 67-62 on Wednesday night in the second round of the 2K Sports College Hoops Classic.

Syracuse's 29th straight win over Cornell (1-1) was a struggle. The Orange (2-0) won despite missing 18 straight 3-pointers, including all 10 of Gerry McNamara's attempts, after Demetris Nichols opened the game with a 3.

McNamara, who was 1-for-4 on 3-pointers in the season-opener against Bethune-Cookman, finished with 17 points, 13 from the free throw line.

"The days we don't make shots are going to be long nights for us. Anytime you shoot 1-for-19 from the 3-point line, you're usually going to lose," Boeheim said. "We held our composure pretty well."

The victory sends the Orange against the winner of the Lubbock Regional next Thursday night at Madison Square Garden in the semifinals of the 16-team tournament, which benefits Coaches vs. Cancer.

In an 82-69 loss to Syracuse a year ago, the Big Red stayed in the game for nearly 30 minutes by hitting a Carrier Dome record 15 3-pointers. This time they made 11, and freshman Adam Gore was the spark plug. He made three 3s and scored 13 points in the first half and continued his hot shooting in the second until picking up his fourth foul with 11:10 left.

Gore, who finished with 22 points, repeatedly beat Syracuse's zone defense. He hit his sixth and final 3 to give Cornell its first lead of the game, 47-44, with 11:59 to play as the Big Red bench sensed a monumental upset in the making inside the unfriendly confines of the Carrier Dome.

"I'm being honest. I'm not surprised (at Gore's performance)," Cornell coach Steve Donahue said. "Every day he does those things in practice. It doesn't surprise me that this environment would not intimidate him."

The Syracuse defense asserted itself in the final minutes to take back the game. Devendorf's baseline drive pulled the Orange within 55-54 with 5:25 left, and Roberts followed his own miss 50 seconds later to put Syracuse ahead for good as Cornell committed three straight turnovers in the lane.

"I felt I hadn't played that good," said Devendorf, who had two assists and no turnovers. "I expected a lot out of myself and got down on myself. Coaches told me to go in and penetrate the gaps. Luckily, I made those three layups."

Two free throws by McNamara and two driving layups by Devendorf put the Orange up 62-57 with 2:28 left, and the Big Red couldn't rally.

"Eric's a good player, he's played very well in practice," Boeheim said. "But I really thought a gap was created there because they were overplaying Gerry and Demetris. I told him you've just got to go in there. Without those three plays, we don't win the game."

Lenny Collins finished with 20 points and Andrew Naeve had 11 points and 10 rebounds for Cornell, which stopped McNamara's streak of 53 consecutive games with a 3.

"I never thought we were going to lose," said Roberts, whose knee tendinitis sent him to the bench with just over a minute to play. "The young guys came in and played very well. Eric played like a veteran, and that's going to be a key for us."

yagsy
11-10-2005, 10:21 AM
GMac will come around, but I am concerned about this year's defense. I think it's much weaker than its been in the past and I think teams are really able to penetrate it. And this team is not going to score a ton of points. I know that these guys will get better but I don't see this team doing much this season. Then again, Boeheim will get them to go beyond their own limitations. It's going to be interesting to see how Roberts handles playing center.

THANK GOODNESS COLLEGE B-BALL IS BACK
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Baseball Guru
11-10-2005, 07:08 PM
We have a young team and I think Jimmy's D will be fine.. Actually that is supposed to be the strength of this team.. its the scoring I am concerned about... Without Warrick, I'm not sure who is gonna pick up the load... I love GMac but I dont think he can be a leader as far as scoring goes.. He's a great open floor shooter, one of the best in the game, but he doesnt do avery good job IMO at getting himself open and creating his own shot... He was great to compliment Warrick and Melo but he will suffer if he is the focal point of the O...

I am not AT ALL impressed with a 5 point win at home vs Cornell... Thats not acceptable:nono:

Tigers#1
11-10-2005, 07:40 PM
I love Eric Devendorf. I saw him in high school.

He's a little goofy looking, but he's one of the best pure scorers i've seen in high school.

Baseball Guru
11-11-2005, 06:31 AM
Cool Kyle... Can you give me a little more inside info on him?

Tigers#1
11-12-2005, 02:02 AM
"Devendorf is a feisty competitor with skill and athleticism. He can shoot it off-the-pass and also create his own shot off the dribble. A true combo player, he is a talented distributor with either hands."