No. 2 Syracuse 74, Rutgers 64
Box Score | Season Statistics
PISCATAWAY, N. J.
Fair surpassed his previous career-high of 17 points which he set last season against the Scarlet Knights at the Carrier Dome. He scored 14 of his 21 points in the first half and also grabbed a game-high eight rebounds.
Senior Scoop Jardine had 17 point and seven assists, while Kris Joseph scored in doubles figures for the 23rd time this season as he had 14. Fab Melo chipped in with 10 points.
The two teams each scored 36 points in the paint, while the SU bench outscored the Rutgers bench 28-18.
The first half featured seven ties and eight lead changes, but Syracuse surged ahead by finishing the half on a 10-4 spurt, led by Fair who had six points in that span. Two free throws from Dion Waiters with two seconds left gave the Orange its largest lead of the half at 40-34 and that would be Syracuse’s halftime advantage.
SU held the lead for the entire second half, and despite the Scarlet Knights getting within two points on five different occasions, they were never able to tie or take the lead away from Syracuse.
With SU leading 66-62, Jardine iced the game with a three point dagger from the top of the key with 1:12 remaining, pushing the Orange lead to 69-62.
Fair, Melo and Brandon Triche would connect on 5-of-8 free throws in the final 30 seconds for SU’s final points of the game.
Syracuse returns home for a Wednesday evening contest with South Florida at 7:00 p.m. Fans can buy tickets online, at the Carrier Dome Box Office or by calling 1-888-DOMETIX.
Notes: Syracuse’s 27 wins is the most in the nation … The Orange leads Rutgers 38-9 in the all-time series … SU snapped Rutgers’ three game winning-streak against Top 10 opponents at the RAC (Villanova, Florida, Connecticut) … Jardine has had at least seven assists in eight games this season.
Article source: http://www.suathletics.com/news/2012/2/19/MBB_0219125542.aspx