National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Syracuse 75, Seton Hall 49
When: 7:00 PM ET, Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Where: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, New York
Officials: # Roger Ayers, # Joe Lindsay, # Michael Stephens
Attendance: 25081

Fab Melo set a school record with 10 blocks to lead No. 1 Syracuse to a 75-49 victory over visiting Seton Hall on Wednesday in the Big East opener for both schools.

Melo’s swat fest was only one part of a dominant defensive effort from Syracuse (14-0), which held Seton Hall (11-2) to five first-half field goals to gain a 19-point advantage at the break.

The Orange depth overwhelmed yet another opponent as the nation’s leader in steals came up with 10 in the first half and forced 23 turnovers overall.

Melo also added a career-high 12 points and seven rebounds against one of the Big East’s best big men in Herb Pope. The 7-footer held the Seton Hall senior to a season-low four points on 2-of-9 shooting. The crushing loss was a reality check for the Pirates, who were off to their best start since 1992-93.

Pope wasn’t the only star to struggle as Syracuse’s Kris Joseph went 0-for-6 and was held scoreless for the first time in three years. The Orange, though, have more than enough scorers to overcome an off night from their senior leader.

Even though Syracuse failed to shoot at least 50 percent for the first time in five games, Dion Waiters’ game-high 15 points still allowed the Orange to record their fifth straight double-digit victory and avenge last season’s 90-68 home defeat to the Pirates.
Top Game Performances
 
Seton Hall   Syracuse
Jordan Theodore 14 Scoring Dion Waiters 15
Haralds Karlis 3 Assists Scoop Jardine 4
Herb Pope 9 Rebounds C.J. Fair 8
Fuquan Edwin 3 Free Throws Made Brandon Triche 4
Fuquan Edwin 1 Steals Kris Joseph 4
N/A Blocks Fab Melo 10
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Seton Hall 49 31.7 7-21 4-11 12 39 0 1 23
Syracuse 75 46.3 2-13 11-16 20 37 15 17 6