Jan. 1, 2001

By DOUG FEINBERG
AP MegaSports Writer

Notre Dame will try to snap a four-game losing streak against Syracuse when the Fighting Irish visit the Orangemen on Tuesday in the Big East opener for both teams.

Notre Dame (8-2) has won its last four games overall, but hasn’t beaten Syracuse at the Carrier Dome since the 1996-97 season.

The No. 21 Irish are coming off a 97-49 victory over Long Island on Friday. Troy Murphy had 24 points and 10 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season and 37th of his career as Notre Dame used a strong defense to shut down Long Island.

“I think because our defense was active, it caused us to get some easy baskets in transition,” Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said after the win. “It was a key for us to be alert defensively early in the game.”

Ryan Humphrey added 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Irish, who ended a six-game homestand and are playing on the road for the first time in a month.

Syracuse (11-1) is coming off a strong effort against Niagara on Saturday. The 14th-ranked Orangemen won easily 95-69, ending a string of lackluster victories over weaker opponents.

Damone Brown matched his career highs with 26 points and 13 rebounds.

“I was more aggressive,” Brown said. “I didn’t sit back. I was out there trying to make plays from the start. I was active on the offensive glass, got some easy shots that way, and the points just add up when you get on the glass like that.”

The Orangemen also got a career-high 14 points from Kueth Duany.

It was the second straight solid game off the bench for Duany, who scored 11 points against Columbia on Thursday night.

“It gives me a little more confidence going into the Big East,” Duany said. “And coach has a little more confidence in the bench now with me and James (Thues) coming in.”

Notre Dame holds a slight edge in the all-time series 13-12.