Men's Basketball Win Streak Halted at Syracuse
2/26/1998 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) - Etan Thomas had a career-high 25 points as No. 23 Syracuse broke a two-game losing streak on Thursday night with a 76-61 victory over Pittsburgh, clinching an opening-round bye in next week's Big East tournament.
The Orangemen (21-7, 11-6) survived a career-high 32 points by Isaac Hawkins, who had the most points by an opponent in the Carrier Dome since Felipe Lopez of St. John's had 35 in 1995.
The game was a makeup from Dec. 30 when a snowstorm prevented Pitt from getting to Syracuse.
Syracuse led 41-38 4 1/2 minutes into the second half when they went on a 10-2 run to pull away from the Panthers (11-14, 6-11), who had won their last three games.
The win guaranteed Syracuse at least a tie with Miami for first place in the Big East 7 division. By virtue of sweeping the Hurricanes in their two meetings this season, Syracuse receives the first-round bye in the Big East tournament that goes to the division winner.
The Orangemen will likely be the No. 2 seed in next week's conference playoffs. If so, they would play in Thursday's quarterfinal against the winner of the No.7-No.10 game on Wednesday.
Jason Hart scored 15 points for Syracuse and Ryan Blackwell had 13. Syracuse's top scorer, Todd Burgan, played with the flu and had 12 points.
Thomas and Hawkins carried their teams in the first half, which ended with Syracuse leading 35-28. Thomas scored 13 on 5-of-7 shooting, while Hawkins topped the Panthers with 14. Hawkins finished with 14 rebounds.