January 26, 2002

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Virginia Tech lost to Syracuse, 81-69, in BIG EAST Conference men's basketball action Saturday night at the Carrier Dome. The Hokies fall to 6-13 overall and 0-7 in league play, while the #12 Orangemen are now 17-4 overall and 6-1 in BIG EAST action.

Tech took a 33-30 lead into the half and opened the lead to 37-30 with 19:00 remaining. Syracuse fought back and took the lead for good, 53-52 on a free throw by James Thues with 8:37 remaining.

Bryant Matthews led the Hokies in scoring for the second straight game with 16 points. Carlton Carter recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Brian Chase also scored 14 points and Carlos Dixon added 12 points off the bench. DeShaun Williams led all scorers with 28 points and Preston Shumpert added 25 points for the Orangemen.

Syracuse shot 54.5% from the floor, including 63.2% in the second half and 66.7% from three-point range. The Hokies could manage just 33.3% from the floor and 29.6% from three-point range. The Hokies outrebounded SU, 33-26 and the turnovers were even at 22.

The Hokies return to action on Wednesday night, as they travel to Villanova for a 7:30 p.m. contest.