SYRACUSE, N.Y. — No. 4 Syracuse remained unbeaten with a 72-68 victory over No. 10 Florida on Friday, as coach Jim Boeheim maintained a stoic facade amid an intense federal investigation into his program.
It’s the second game since the firing of longtime associate head coach Bernie Fine, who has been accused by three men — including two former Syracuse ballboys — of molesting them as minors. Fine, who was fired Sunday, has denied the allegations.
Just as he was in Tuesday’s home win over Eastern Michigan, Boeheim was greeted by a nice ovation when he was introduced to a crowd of 24,459. It was the largest on-campus attendance in the nation so far this season, and it included former Syracuse star Carmelo Anthony and former Orange assistant Rob Murphy, in his first year at EMU, in front-row seats.
“It’s been crazy,” said Matt Roe, a Syracuse star from the late 1980s who does color on radio broadcasts. “Nonstop for 14 days. What am I going to say? I don’t know anything. (Boeheim) is a good man.”
The Orange (8-0) breezed to its first seven wins with an average margin of victory of 26 points, but the Gators (5-2), whose only previous loss was by seven at No. 2 Ohio State, figured to provide a solid challenge and they did in a game that seemed like a midseason encounter in the Big East.
After the Orange built a 39-30 lead early in the second half, Kenny Boynton led the Gators back with three 3s, the last putting Florida back on top 49-46 with 9:19 to go. Brandon Triche tied it for the fourth time in the half 11 seconds later with his first 3-pointer.
Scoop Jardine fed Kris Joseph for a one-handed slam to break the tie, and Jardine’s steal and layup had the Orange up 54-49 with 6:20 to go and the crowd shaking the Carrier Dome.
No. 6 Louisville 62, No. 20 Vanderbilt 60 (OT)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Peyton Siva drove through the middle of Vanderbilt’s defense for a layup with 1.4 seconds left and the Cardinals escaped for the overtime victory.
The Cardinals (7-0) rallied from two big deficits — nine in the second half and five in overtime. Kyle Kuric’s 16-footer gave Louisville a 60-58 lead with 34 seconds left.
John Jenkins, who finished with 27 points, hit two free throws for the Commodores (5-3) to tie it with 12.2 seconds left, but Siva broke the defense on a high pick-and-roll and got to the hoop for the game-winning basket. Siva finished with 15 points.
Women
No. 25 Vanderbilt 77, Denver 56
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Christina Foggie scored 18 of her 23 points in the first half, knocking down a career-high six 3-pointers for the Commodores (8-0).
Foggie drilled three 3-pointers during a 15-0 run that allowed Vanderbilt to pull away from the Pioneers (5-2) midway through the first half. Tiffany Clarke’s layup with 8:11 left capped the spurt for a 30-10 lead.
Denver’s sloppiness accounted for a 28-point halftime deficit. The Pioneers committed a season-high 23 turnovers, with Vanderbilt scoring 33 points off the miscues.
Katelyn Murdoch led Denver with 12 points on 2-of-11 shooting.
Northern Colorado 66, Colorado State 60
GREELEY — Kim Mestdagh scored 28 points for the Rams (1-6), but the Bears (5-3) held her scoreless down the stretch and pulled away with free throws in the final minute.
Air Force 64, Jackson State 51
AIR FORCE ACADEMY — Katie Hilbig and Alicia Leipprandt each scored a game-high 16 points to lead the Falcons (4-4) past the Tigers (0-3) in the opening-round game of the Air Force Classic. Hilbig also pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.
Denver Post wire services
