Huge crowd here at the Sun Dome, with the second level maybe 75 percent full and a decent number in the top tier. USF has started strong, trailing Syracuse just 13-12 with 11:16 left in the half.
Early on, it looked like Syracuse's Arinze Onuaku was going to dominate the game from the post, and he has eight of Syracuse's 13 points. But USF has answered in the post, with center B.J. Ajayi getting six points -- thta's a season high -- in the first nine minutes. Forward Aris Williams also has a basket as USF is making a concerted effort to distribute the ball inside rather than limit themselves to perimeter shots.
The crowd -- much of it Orange -- will be a big number, perhaps the biggest at the Sun Dome since USF joined the Big East in 2005. The mark to beat is 9,636, set when USF hosted Connecticut in March 2006. West Virginia played to more than that at St. Pete Times Forum, but that's the Sun Dome high.
Times sportswriter Greg Auman, who covers USF, will post news and thoughts on the Bulletin and we invite your participation in the comments area.
Halftime. Score same as last. USF has many shots but horrible marksmanship. Too many fouls against us and Syracuse is just to poised and is awaiting to extend USF's patience. Hope orange's free throws continue to worsen.
Posted by: BullBard | January 02, 2009 at 09:21 PM
Bulls 19- orange 35
Posted by: BullBard | January 02, 2009 at 09:19 PM
Disappointing of course whenever the visitors have more fans than the home team. I wish the guys well.
Posted by: Ken | January 02, 2009 at 09:17 PM