HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

by Jeff DiVeronica, USA TODAY Sports

SYRACUSE – History didn’t come without a little drama for Jim Boeheim on Monday night.

Third-ranked Syracuse University nearly blew what was a 20-point lead with six minutes to play, but held on for a 72-68 victory in front of 17,902 fans at the Carrier Dome. The win made Boeheim, the 68-year-old in his 37th season at the only school he has ever coached, the third coach in NCAA Division I men’s basketball history to reach 900 wins.

He trails only Bob Knight (902) and Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski (936). Boeheim’s career record: 900-304 (74.8 winning percentage). “Enjoy this moment,” Krzyzewski said on the giant videoboard at the Dome during a post-game tribute to Boeheim.

Boeheim saw his team’s lead dwindle to three points twice in the final 26 seconds.

“We thought the game was over. It’s never over – as we learned tonight,” he said.

Sophomore point guard Michael Carter-Williams made 5 of 6 six free throws to secure the victory. He finished with 12 points and 10 assists. Senior swingman James Southerland shot 5-for-7 from 3-point range to lead the Orange with 22 points.

SU (10-0) plays next at noon on Saturday at Madison Square Garden against Temple (7-1), whose only loss is to No. 1 Duke. Syracuse owns the country’s longest home court winning streak at 30 games and has won 52 straight regular-season matchups against non-conference foes.

An NCAA Tournament team last year after winning the Horizon League tournament, Detroit (6-5) didn’t put up much of a fight until late. A 3-pointer by Juwan Howard Jr. (18 points) and fastbreak slam by Doug Anderson (18 points) cut SU’s lead, which hadn’t been in single digits since midway through the first half at 21-13, to 67-59 with 2:17 left.

Howard made two free throws after Brandon Triche fouled out with 1:29 to go and it was 67-61. After Carter-Williams missed a jumper, Howard was fouled and made two more. Then Carter-Williams was stripped with 29 seconds left, and Jason Calliste made one of two at the line after being fouled. The Orange lead was down to 67-64. But Carter-Williams was … [For more on Syracuse's Jim Boeheim wins 900th game, click here.]