Feb 17, 2002

Notre Dame vs Syracuse Box Score

By TOM COYNE
AP Sports Writer

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – DeShaun Williams scored 18 points, including eight of Syracuse’s final 12, as the Orangemen rallied in the second half to beat Notre Dame 68-65 Sunday.

The Irish (17-8, 7-5 Big East) led by as many as seven points, but the Orangemen responded with a 10-4 run to cut the lead to 56-55. It took the Orangemen six tries, but they finally took the lead when Williams hit a 3-pointer with 5:51 left to give Syracuse (19-7, 8-4) a 59-56 lead.

The Irish went ahead 60-59 on a 15-foot jumper by Matt Carroll. Williams responded immediately with another 3-pointer, his fourth in eight tries. A layup by Torrian Jones cut Syracuse’s lead to 64-63.

After Williams added a free throw, Jeremy McNeil added a rebound backet and Williams hit another free throw to give the Orangemen a 68-65 lead. David Graves missed a 3-pointer for Notre Dame with 2 seconds left.

The victory leaves Syracuse alone in second place in the Big East West Division, a game ahead of the Irish. The top two teams in each division get a first-round bye in the Big East tournament.

Kueth Duany added 12 points for Syracuse, Preston Shumpert had 10 points and 10 rebounds and James Thues scored 10.

Matt Carroll led the Irish with 18 points, Ryan Humphrey had 15 points and 13 rebounds and David Graves had 11 points. Chris Thomas was held to eight points, seven below his average. Thomas, who went 0-for-14 Thursday against Rutgers, was 3-for-11 against Syracuse.

Notre Dame is 3-3 at home in the Big East and 7-4 overall.