Doug Anderson, Juwan Howard Jr. nearly led Detroit to upset of Syracuse

December 18, 2012 in Division I

By Patrick Hayes

In a nationally televised game on ESPN, the University of Detroit nearly denied Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim his 900th career coaching win on Monday after mounting a furious comeback to erase a 22-point deficit. The Titans pulled within three with less than a minute to go, but Syracuse was able to seal the game at the free throw line.

More importantly though, Detroit got strong efforts from two players who had been heading in opposite directions. Juwan Howard Jr., who started the season slowly, continued his strong play of late with 18 points. Howard, who was last week’s Horizon League Newcomer of the Week, is averaging 15.2 points per game over his last five and shooting 51 percent.

Doug Anderson, who started the season strong and has been slumping lately, also scored 18. Anderson had scored in double figures in just two of seven games prior to Monday’s game.

Getting consistent production out of both Anderson and Howard going forward will be vital to Detroit’s chances in Horizon League play, so good performances from both against a power like Syracuse is definitely a step in the right direction.


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