Senior forward Kris Joseph has netted a team-best seven points and collected four rebounds to help Syracuse University earn a 31-27 halftime lead over the University of Florida in a top-10, non-conference game at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY. Both sophomore center Fab Melo and junior guard Brandon Triche has chipped in with seven points for the Orange (7-0), who are ranked No. 3 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll and No. 4 in the AP Poll. Florida (5-1), which is ranked No. 9/10, is paced by senior guard Erving Walker, who has netted three 3-pointers that have led to a total of nine points.
The Orange, who trailed 10-6 in the first few minutes of the first half, slowly crept back into the game and took its first lead, 20-19, with 6:14 to go. Then, with the game tied at 25 with about 3:42 to go in the half, SU used a small 6-0 run, which included a layup from senior guard Scoop Jardine layup, a dunk by sophomore forward C.J. Fair and two Triche free throws, respectively, to earn a 31-25 advantage with 1:31 remaining in the half. A basket by Florida's Will Yeguete cut the margin to four heading into the half.
SB Nation New York is updating from press row at the Carrier Dome, as the Syracuse Orange hosts the Florida Gators. Be sure to check out, SB nation's Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician for everything SU, while Alligator Army has the inside track on the Gators. Follow along on Twitter at SBNationNY or JaredSmithCNY.