Burns Drops 33 on Syracuse As Bulldogs Push Orange Before Falling 92-86

BRYANT BASKETBALL

November 1, 2006  

BURNS LIGHTS UP CARRIER DOME WITH 33 IN PRESEASON LOSS TO SYRACUSE IN EXHIBITION WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Exhibition Men's Basketball

SYRACUSE, NY - Bryant University senior guard Chris Burns (Merrimack, NH) scored a career-high 33 points while Ryan McLean (Plymouth, Mass.) added 18 points as the Bulldogs dropped a 92-86 decision to Syracuse Wednesday night. 

Syracuse came into the game with a lofty No. 20 national ranking and picked to finish third in the Big East.  Not to mention they were also boasting preseason freshman of the year Paul Harris.  But the Bulldogs would give the hosts a game on this night at the Carrier Dome. 

Trailing 45-34 at the half, it appeared that Syracuse would pull away, using a 12-0 run midway through the second half to lead 65-45.  But Bryant never gave up as Jerrann Wright (Cincinnati, OH) scored several inside buckets, and Burns drained another three to make it 84-73 with just over three minutes left.

Bryant outscored Syracuse 52-47 in the second half and outrebounded the mighty Orange 58-47 in the game.

Harris, making his Carrier Dome debut was held to just eight points in the game.

The Bulldogs will continue their Division I exhibition tour when they head to Hartford, Conn. for a matchup with the 18th ranked Connecticut Huskies.