Syracuse Wins Maui Invitational

Preston Shumpert doesn't play like a backup guard. He doesn't play like a freshman, either.

Shumpert keyed two runs Wednesday night, leading No. 19 Syracuse over 17th-ranked Indiana 76-63 in the championship of the Maui Invitational.

Shumpert had 19 points, nine on 3-pointers, and seven rebounds for the Orangemen (5-0), and Jason Hart added 17 points and five assists.

"Shumpert is one guy who can knock down 3s," Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said. "He gets in and finds open areas. And Jason's getting better all the time. Before, he used to get down. But now he gives our point guards a lot of freedom to shoot. He's also a great defensive player and his offense has picked up, too."

Boeheim also cited another freshman, Tony Bland, who went 5-for-5 from the floor.

"They played tremendous in this tournament," he said.

Indiana (6-1) was hurt by the failure of A.J. Guyton to score a single point for the first time in his college career. The junior guard came in with a 16.5 average this season, but missed all six shots, including four from the 3-point line.

A zone defense contributed to Indiana's problems.

"The two kids at the top played good defense," Hooisers coach Bob Knight

Syracuse center Etan Thomas fouls Indiana forward William Gladness in the first half. (AP)

Had it not been for a pair of successive 3-pointers by Shumpert midway through the second half, the Orangemen would have switched to a man-to-man alignment.

"We were stretching our defense to take away the 3s," Boeheim said. "But it opened up the inside."

Syracuse made 29 of 42 shots (56 percent), while Iniana made 24 of 61 (39 percent).

After a close start that included seven lead changes and ties, Shumpert got all the points in an 8-0 run with a pair of 3-pointers and a basket. He keyed a 14-2 second-half run with six points and Hart scored four during the spurt as the Orangemen took a comfortable 16-point lead.

William gladness kept the Hoosiers in contention most of the night with 24 points and 11 rebounds, including six offensive rebounds. Luke Recker added 15 points.

Indiana was also helped by 17 Syracuse turnovers that resulted in 19 points. Gladness' offensive board work also contributed to 16 second-chance points.

Ryan Blackwell had 11 points and 11 rebounds for Syracuse. Bland and Etan Thomas added 10 points each.

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