Month: March 2009

Syracuse: Orange Manhandle Arizona State

No. 3 Syracuse dominated No. 6 Arizona State for nearly the entire game in a 78-67 win. The Orange held the Sun Devils’ top scoring threats, James Harden and Jeff Pendergraph, in check. They combined for only 19 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Junior guard Eric Devendorf led Syracuse’s offensive attack with 21 points.

Duke: Blue Devils Hold Back Texas

Sophomore guard Nolan Smith and junior swingman Gerald Henderson made five critical free throws in the final minute to give No. 2 Duke a 74-69 win against mistake-prone No. 7 Texas. The Blue Devils’ defense minimized the long-range threat of senior guard A.J. Abrams, holding Texas’ best shooter to two three-pointers.

Gonzaga: Freshman Hits Game-Winner Against Hilltoppers

Freshman guard Demetri Goodson sprint down the entire court with seconds to go to hit a running layup with less than a second to go, breaking an 81-81 tie to give No. 4 Gonzaga an 83-81 victory against No. 12 Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers rallied from a seven-point hole in the final two minutes with clutch shooting, capped by sophomore swingman Steffphon Pettigrew putback off a missed three-pointer with less than 10 seconds to go.

Memphis: Tigers Whip Maryland With Hot Shooting

Memphis fired on all cylinders against No. 10 Maryland in an 89-70 blowout that wasn’t in doubt as early as midway through the first half. Memphis shot 59 percent for the game, including 70 percent in the first half. Freshman point guard Tyreke Evans led the Tigers with 19 points, four rebounds and five assists.