Orange No Problem Running With Bulls

Junior forward Wes Johnson led #7/7 Syracuse (15-1, 2-1) on both ends of the court as it defeated South Florida (10-5, 0-3), 82-65, on Sunday afternoon at the Carrier Dome. Johnson’s 19 points led nine different players who scored for the Orange, including four in double figures. The Corsicana, Texas native matched his offensive performance with a game-best 13 rebounds. SU controlled the lane offensively, holding a dominating, 50-34 advantage in points in the paint. Junior Rick Jackson and senior Arinze Onuaku set the tone down low, netting 15 and 12 points, respectively. Jackson added four rebounds and a game-best four blocked shots while Onuaku added four boards. Senior Andy Rautins, freshman Brandon Triche and redshirt sophomore Scoop Jardine split time directing the Orange offense. Rautins had eight points and seven assists while Triche rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points and five helpers. Jardine matched eight points with four assists in a reserve role. The Orange also had a big advantage from its reserves, leading 18-4 in bench points. Redshirt freshman Mookie Jones had six points on two trifectas in a reserve role while freshman DaShonte Riley and sophomore Kris Joseph each added a bucket. The two teams traded the lead three times to open the game before the Orange took control, maintaining a steady lead of at least one point from the 15 minute mark. Ahead 19-17, Syracuse assembled a 6-0 run to build its lead, 26-17, with 7:02 left in the half. The Orange continued to drive, using a 7-0 run to take its largest lead of the half, 33-19, with 4:13 remaining in the half. SU maintained its edge through the first half, heading into the locker room with a 40-28 advantage. Syracuse continued its dominance out of intermission, opening up a 10-2 run to take a 53-34 lead with 14:49 remaining. The Orange onslaught continued as the hosts took its largest lead of the game, 57-36, with 13:47 left to play. The Bulls cut the deficit, but would not come within 12 points of the Orange in the second half as it cruised to a 82-65 victory. Dominque Jones led all scorers with 30 points while Mike Mercer had 13 points and Jarrid Famous pulled down a team-best 12 rebounds. Syracuse embarks on a three-game road trip beginning Wednesday, January 13 when it visits Rutgers for a 7:30 p.m. tip off.