Syracuse Holds Off Notre Dame

Held in check for the first 30 minutes, Preston Shumpert broke through with seven points to key a decisive 13-1 run that propelled the eighth-ranked Orangemen to a tough 56-51 victory over Notre Dame at Syracuse, N.Y.

“Even though they’re playing that tough on defense, trying to single me out every single play down the floor, that’s just something I need to do for my teammates,” said Shumpert, one for seven from the field in the first half. “I found some gaps and took advantage of some opportunities.”

Syracuse led by as many as nine in the first half, but Ryan Humphrey made consecutive baskets with just over 12 minutes to go to pull the Irish within 39-38.

That’s when Shumpert took charge. He converted a layup off an inbounds pass from Kueth Duany, made a three-point shot from the left corner off a steal by James Thues, and made a tough shot in the lane for a 48-39 edge. He finished with 15 points.

It was the seventh straight win for the Orangemen, 16-2 overall and 5-0 in the Big East. Notre Dame (12-4, 2-2), which had rallied to win its previous two road games, couldn’t pull off another comeback.

Utah 76, San Diego State 70--Jeff Johnsen scored six of his 14 points in the final 28 seconds in a Mountain West Conference game at Salt Lake City as the Utes won their ninth in a row.

Britton Johnsen had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Utes (12-3, 2-0), who have won 13 in a row against San Diego State (10-6, 0-2).

Texas 74, Texas Tech 71--T.J. Ford and James Thomas combined for four free throws in the final 23 seconds to give the Longhorns an overtime Big 12 win at Lubbock, Texas.

Texas Tech (12-4, 3-0) had one last attempt to win, but Marcus Shropshire’s three-point shot bounced off the rim at the buzzer.

Ford, Thomas and Brandon Mouton each scored 18 points for the Longhorns (12-4, 3-0).

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s game Wednesday against Sacramento State at Sacramento has been canceled.