Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMBB | Strong start keys decisive win over Oakland
By Michael Bonner
Posted: 11/21/08, 10:53 PM EST Section: Sports
Paul Harris walked back down the court after an early Syracuse turnover. He looked down at the court, talking to himself while flicking his wrist toward the ground. Only three minutes had passed in SU's game against Oakland, but Harris needed to calm down.
"I was pumped up from the gate," the 6-foot-5 junior forward said. "I told Jonny Flynn I'm ready man. …Oh I was just ready man, from the gate."
Harris' teammates had the same type of energy, jumping out to a quick lead that propelled them to an 86-66 win over the Golden Grizzlies (1-2), in front of 18,932 Friday night at the Carrier Dome. For the second game in three outings this season, the Orange (3-0) has built a 20-point lead midway through the first half.
Friday's matchup wasn't against a Division II foe, like Le Moyne. It was against a strong Oakland team. The Golden Grizzlies returned five starters from last year and were coming off a win at Oregon. Still, the Orange gave itself an early cushion by playing near flawless basketball in the first half.
"I mean it's always better if they don't score, that's better," said junior Eric Devendorf, who had three of his team-high five assists in the early going. "But we had a pretty flawless first half.
The Orange sprinted out to a 22-5 lead in the first seven minutes. Six minutes later, the lead ballooned to 21. At that point in the game the Orange was shooting 11-of-15 (79 percent) from the field. Even more impressive was the ball movement that led to the shots. At that point SU had 11 field goals on 11 assists. To close out the half Syracuse finished with 14 baskets on 13 assists.
"I thought we moved the ball exceptionally well the first half," head coach Jim Boeheim said. "Second half I think we dribbled the ball a little too much but the first half we did a really good job of passing the basketball."
The total of helpers could have been even greater, but many passes that shredded the defense resulted in Golden Grizzly fouls that sent SU to the line. In one sequence, Andy Rautins drew the defender in with a pump fake, then drove into the lane. Kristof Ongenaet's defender left him to cover Rautins, allowing Rautins to drop off a pass to the open forward. Ongengaet was fouled, and made one of two free throws.
"I was pumped up from the gate," the 6-foot-5 junior forward said. "I told Jonny Flynn I'm ready man. …Oh I was just ready man, from the gate."
Harris' teammates had the same type of energy, jumping out to a quick lead that propelled them to an 86-66 win over the Golden Grizzlies (1-2), in front of 18,932 Friday night at the Carrier Dome. For the second game in three outings this season, the Orange (3-0) has built a 20-point lead midway through the first half.
Friday's matchup wasn't against a Division II foe, like Le Moyne. It was against a strong Oakland team. The Golden Grizzlies returned five starters from last year and were coming off a win at Oregon. Still, the Orange gave itself an early cushion by playing near flawless basketball in the first half.
"I mean it's always better if they don't score, that's better," said junior Eric Devendorf, who had three of his team-high five assists in the early going. "But we had a pretty flawless first half.
The Orange sprinted out to a 22-5 lead in the first seven minutes. Six minutes later, the lead ballooned to 21. At that point in the game the Orange was shooting 11-of-15 (79 percent) from the field. Even more impressive was the ball movement that led to the shots. At that point SU had 11 field goals on 11 assists. To close out the half Syracuse finished with 14 baskets on 13 assists.
"I thought we moved the ball exceptionally well the first half," head coach Jim Boeheim said. "Second half I think we dribbled the ball a little too much but the first half we did a really good job of passing the basketball."
The total of helpers could have been even greater, but many passes that shredded the defense resulted in Golden Grizzly fouls that sent SU to the line. In one sequence, Andy Rautins drew the defender in with a pump fake, then drove into the lane. Kristof Ongenaet's defender left him to cover Rautins, allowing Rautins to drop off a pass to the open forward. Ongengaet was fouled, and made one of two free throws.
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