By

Awakened from a colossal stumble on Thursday, Feb. 11 against St. John’s University, the University of Louisville men’s basketball team was able to keep their NCAA tournament hopes alive with a 66-60 upset win over Syracuse University.

Up until this point, the second-ranked Orange had only one loss for the season. As a result of this game, they fell to 24-2 for the season and 11-2 in the Big East, as well as falling to second place in the Big East. The Cardinals’ upset showed off a new look, as the team relied heavily on contributions from freshman guard Mike Marra and freshman forward Rakeem Buckles. Consistent scorers sophomore center Samardo Samuels and senior guard Jerry Smith were held scoreless long into the second half.

Marra, who averages less than 10 minutes a game, saw his 3-point shooting come alive against Syracuse, earning 29 minutes of playing time. He and senior guard Edgar Sosa led the team, with 12 points each. Buckles added 8 points and 4 rebounds, also with increased playing time. He added the exclamation point to what was certainly a signature win for the Cardinals, with a last-second dunk. The team was without senior forward Reggie Delk, who typically owns most of the minutes at the small forward position.

Though Samuels did not score until there was 7:46 left in the second half, he was able to add 8 points in the game’s final minutes. And his electrifying dunk with 3:04 remaining gave the team its biggest lead, at 59-52. Sophomore forward Terrence Jennings helped the team on defense, with two blocked shots in his return to the starting lineup.

Syracuse’s junior forward Wesley Johnson led the Orange, with 14 points. The Cardinals’ defense was able to hold Syracuse’s sharpshooter, senior guard Andy Rautins, to just 12 points.

It was the Cards’ first win over a ranked team this season. The win gives the team five straight wins over Syracuse, a streak they would certainly like to continue when the Orange visit Freedom Hall on March 6. The Cards moved to 16-9 for the season and 7-5 in Big East play. The team’s next game will be at home on Wednesday, Feb. 17 against the University of Notre Dame, who may be without their leading scorer, senior center Luke Harangody, due to injury.