PHILADELPHIA – When the second half started and Syracuse had a six-point deficit to close, Jerami Grant took it upon himself to take control at both ends of the floor.

The freshman Grant scored seven straight points in the first two minutes of the second half to carry the Orange to a one-point lead over Villanova in Syracuse’s 75-71 overtime loss to the Wildcats on Saturday. Though Grant fouled out with about five minutes left in regulation, the Orange might not have been in position for the win without Grant’s efforts.

Grant went 3-of-7 from the field, hit all five of his free throws, and finished the game with 12 points in his 27 minutes on the floor.

“He played really well. It hurts us to go small. But Brandon did a good job in that spot. Jerami had a really good game. He was huge to start the second half,” head coach Jim Boeheim said. “He scored four quick points right away and got us back in the game right away.”

Villanova had a 32-26 lead at the start of the second half. Almost immediately, Grant drew a foul on James Bell and knocked down both free throws to make it 32-28.

Then at the other end of the floor, he knocked the ball away from Villanova forward Daniel Ochefu, and C.J. Fair managed to grab the loose ball. Fair missed the transition jumper, but Grant grabbed the rebound, drove to the basket and made the putback to make it 32-30.

After JayVaughn Pinkston lost the ball out of bounds at the other end, Grant knocked drained a 3-pointer from the right wing that completed his stretch of dominance and gave Syracuse a 33-32 lead, its first of the game.

With James Southerland ineligible, Grant’s playing time has increased. He’s taken advantage of every minute. In the four games Southerland’s been out, Grant’s averaging 10 points per game.

“Jerami was great in the second half,” guard Michael Carter-Williams said. “He ended up fouling out of the game, which was tough. He’s a great lift for our team.”

When Grant fouled out, Syracuse felt his loss. Without the 6-foot-8 forward, the Orange’s lineup became smaller, especially when Baye Moussa Keita fouled out a minute later. Syracuse missed Grant’s activeness off the bench.

The player who was responsible for putting the Orange in position to win couldn’t be there to help Syracuse try to grind out the victory.

Published on January 26, 2013 at 5:36 pm

Contact Chris: cjiseman@syr.edu | @chris_iseman