Orange Go Splat In Philly

Syracuse scored only nine field goals in the first half against Villanova. They turned it over 13 times. Number 17 Villanova used the sloppy first half to build a 20-point lead just 12 minutes in and rolled over the 20th ranked Orange 102-85 in Philadelphia on Saturday. The backcourt of Jonny Flynn and Eric Devendorf combined for 43 points before 20,390 at the sold-out Wachovia Center. Flynn had eight assists and two steals along with his 22 points for the Orange (18-6, 6-5). Dante Cunningham led all scorers with 31 for Villanova (19-4, 7-3). Orange forward Rick Jackson scored all 12 of his points in the first half, including SUs first four field goals. After trailing, 53-38, at halftime, the Orange cut the lead to 10, 58-48, on a basket by Flynn with 16:04 remaining in the game. Devendorf ignited the SU run with a three-point play, hitting the free throw after he was fouled making a layup. Then the junior hit a three-point field goal to cut the margin to 14, 58-44, at the 18:24 mark. Next, Devendorf made a steal and passed the ball ahead to Flynn, who converted the fast-break layup. Flynns next jump shot made the score 58-48. Villanova responded with the next five points and maintained a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game. Syracuse made a late surge using three-point field goals from Paul Harris and Andy Rautins and a pair of free throws by Flynn in a one-minute 9-2 run to cut the lead to 11, 92-81, with 4:02 remaining in the game. However, Villanova scored 10 of the final 14 points to seal the victory. Flynn has reached double figures in scoring in all 23 games this season and has 961 career points. Devendorf s 21 points gives him 1,455 in his Orange career, which ranks 24th in the SU record books. He has scored in double digits in 18 of the 22 games he has played in 2008-09. Devendorf, however, also had seven turnovers. Senior forward Kristof Ongenaet paced the Orange with nine rebounds in 17 minutes. The Orange will play at #1 Connecticut on Wednesday, Feb. 11 before returning to the Carrier Dome to host Georgetown on Saturday, Feb. 14.