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Flynn leads Syracuse to CBE Classic title

Nov 26, 2008 - 7:58 AM KANSAS CITY, Missouri (Ticker) -- It was not easy, but Jonny Flynn made sure Syracuse remained undefeated.

Flynn scored 25 points to lead four players in double figures as the Orange claimed an 89-81 overtime victory against 23rd-ranked Kansas in Tuesday's final of the CBE Classic.

The sensational sophomore, Flynn made 6-of-13 shots from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers, and added five assists as the Orange (5-0) earned the tournament title in a rematch of the 2003 national championship game.

"We did what we had to do," said Syracuse guard Eric Devendorf, who scored 20 points. "We should definitely earn our respect."

Sherron Collins scored 21 points to lead Kansas (3-1), which endured its first loss. Cole Aldrich contributed 15 points and 13 rebounds while freshman Marcus Morris added 11 and 10 boards.

Despite trailing for a majority of the game, Syracuse went on several runs in the second half before Flynn buried a shot from the arc with nine seconds remaining to tie the score at 72-72 and send the game to overtime.

"I thought he (would drive) and get a two, there was still enough time," Orange coach Jim Boeheim said of the final shot. "He kept waiting, so then I figured he was going to go for the three. He knocked it down. That was quite a shot."

Kansas came out strong in the first half, building an 11-point halftime advantage on the strength of Collins' 14 points.

The Jayhawks maintained their lead early in the second half and forged their largest advantage of the game, 51-38, when Tyrel Reed buried a 3-pointer with 15:21 remaining.

Syracuse came storming back, putting together a 16-3 run to tie the score with 10:09 remaining. Flynn scored five points during the surge, which was capped by Paul Harris' free throw.

After Collins made a jumper to give Kansas a two-point edge, Andy Rautins drained a 3-pointer to put the Orange on top, 57-56, with 8:31 left to play.

Aldrich made a jumper on the ensuing possession, sparking a 7-0 run that put his team ahead 63-57 with 5:43 remaining.

Flynn then scored 10 of the Orange's 15 points down the stretch, including the tying 3-pointer from the left wing to send the game to overtime.

"Our guys really hung in there," Boeheim said. "We kept making some mistakes, getting some shots blocked, we just kept coming back and coming back at them. We never gave up. We just kept battling them."

Syracuse dominated in the extra session, going on a 10-1 run midway through overtime to forge an insurmountable 85-76 advantage.