Jan. 23, 2001
Listen To Postgame Audio
Head Coach Mike Brey | Forward David Graves| Guard Matt Carroll
By TOM COYNE
Associated Press Writer
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Troy Murphy scored 22 of his 34 points in the second half and Notre Dame beat No. 11 Syracuse 74-60 Tuesday night, ending a five-game losing streak to the Orangemen.
The victory was the eighth straight at home for the Irish and marked the first time that Notre Dame (12-5, 4-2 Big East) has won three straight Big East games in a season since February 1997.
Syracuse (15-3, 4-2), which shot a season-low 36.9 percent, lost its second game in three days.
The Orangemen played sloppily from the start, turning the ball over on their first three possessions. Syracuse had 14 turnovers in the first half and 21 in the game.
The Irish shot 26-for-31 from the free-throw line. The Orangemen shot 4-for-9.
The Irish repeatedly went inside to Murphy in the second half. Despite getting pounded by Syracuse, Murphy made 6 of 10 shots and shot 10-for-13 from the free throw line in the second half. He finished 16-for-19 from the line.
Murphy also had 16 rebounds, two blocked shots and two steals. Matt Carroll added 13 points. Preston Shumpert led Syracuse with 25 points and three steals and DeShaun Williams and Billy Celuck each had 10 points.
Syracuse closed within 42-38 when Shumpert hit a 3-pointer with 14:38 to go. But Carroll responded with a 3-pointer 21 seconds later to trigger a 14-5 spurt that gave the Irish a 13-point lead.
The Orangemen cut their deficit to nine after Williams hit a 3-pointer and added a free throw 39 seconds later.
The Irish countered with a 24-2 run that put the game away. Murphy scoring eight points in the stretch.
The Irish capitalized on sloppy by Syracuse and led by as many as 13 points in the first half.
The Orangemen shot 1-for-11 shots during one stretch as Notre Dame opened a 26-13 lead.
Notre Dame endured a 6:19 scoreless run in the first half and the Orangemen finished the half with a 13-6 spurt to cut the Irish lead to 32-26 at halftime.