2010 Syracuse Orange Basketball: Syracuse vs UConn

6'9 junior, Rick Jackson, led Syracuse (No. 3 ESPN/USA Today, No. 2 AP) with 15 points and 7 rebounds, to a 5 point victory over the non-ranked Uconn Huskies.

It seemed that in the second half Syracuse was on route to another victory with a 16 point advantage over Connecticut. But after Andy Rautins picked up his 4 th foul and earned himself a spot on the bench, the lead began to dwindle. The Huskies came roaring back with a run, and a 3 by Jerome Dyson tied the game with 2:33 left.

Syracuse was able to come up with the W, but did so with a smart last minute time out by Jim Boeheim; which put a stop to a dead end drive in the lane by Scoop Jardine. With 36 seconds the controversial time-out stopped the Orange from inevitably losing possession with the score tied. With instant replay it could have gone against the Orange, however, a time out is a non-re-viewable play, and the Orange kept the ball.

On the ensuing play Wes Johnson, with 11 points in the game, was held, and knocked down two at the line. Now, ahead by two points with one shot clock left the Orange watched as Jerome Dyson threw up a heroic game winner that missed and fell into the hands of Syracuse, ensuring a another win for hall-of-famer Jim Boeheim.

Syracuse is now 24-1 overall and 11-1 in conference play; their only loss coming from Pittsburgh. They still cling to the number 2 RPI ranking in the nation. Connecticut has dropped to the outside of the tournament bubble, but still have many chances to build thier resume against ranked opponents.

Syracuse pulls off a close one against bitter rival UConn