A contrite Jim Boeheim apologized again last night after another big victory.
The beleaguered Syracuse coach said he had talked to some people in the community and wanted to make three points clear after the No. 4 Orange defeated No. 10 Florida, 72-68, with Carmelo Anthony watching in the front row at the Carrier Dome.
“I believe I misspoke very badly in my response to the allegations that have been made. I shouldn’t have questioned what the accusers expressed or their motives. I am really sorry that I did that, and I regret any harm that I caused,” he said.
“It was insensitive for the individuals involved and especially to the overall issue of child abuse.”
He also said it was important that he get involved in terms of raising awareness.
“I’m going to do everything I can to do that,” he said, “whether I’m coaching or not coaching.”
This was the second game since the firing of longtime associate head coach Bernie Fine, who has been accused by three men — including two former Syracuse ballboys — of molesting them as minors.
Against the Gators, Boeheim’s players responded again, as Brandon Triche had 20 points and Scoop Jardine finished with 16 and seven assists for the Orange (8-0).
Missouri 90, N.W. St. 56
In Columbia, Mo., Marcus Denmon scored a career-high 31 points and No. 13 Missouri went on a pair of big runs in a rout of Northwestern State.
Michael Dixon also set a career high with 19 points and Ricardo Ratliffe matched his personal best with 22. The Tigers (7-0) are off to their best start since winning their first nine games during the 2006-07 season.
Louisville 62,
Vanderbilt 60 (OT)
In Louisville, Ky., Peyton Siva drove through the middle of Vanderbilt’s defense for a layup with 1.4 seconds left and No. 6 Louisville beat the No. 20 Commodores in overtime .
The Cardinals (7-0) rallied from two big deficits — nine in the second half and five in overtime.
Columbia 69,
Loyola Marymount 61
In Los Angeles, Brian Barbour scored 24 points and Columbia sank 12 3-pointers in a victory over Loyola Marymount in the Centennial Classic.
Barbour hit four 3-pointers, as did Meiko Lyles, who scored all 12 of his points from long range. Noah Bridgewater added 10 points and John Daniels grabbed 12 rebounds for Columbia (3-4).
Iona 69, Canisius 57
In Buffalo, Jermel Jenkins came off the bench to score 17 points and Iona used a second-half spurt to beat Canisius in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opener for both teams.
With the Gaels (5-1) leading 51-49, Jenkins made the first of five straight Iona layups in a 10-1 run to pull away with 6:55 remaining.
Manhattan 71, Rider 55
In Lawrenceville, N.J., Michael Alvarado and George Beamon scored 17 points apiece and Manhattan used a huge second-half surge to beat Rider in their MAAC opener.
Manhattan (4-4) trailed 35-33 with 15:18 left following a 10-3 run by the Broncs. The Jaspers then reeled off a 24-9 run.
Fairfield 79, Niagara 75
In Niagara, Sean Crawford scored 19 points, including all of Fairfield’s final five points in the game’s last 1:14, as the Stags edged Niagara in their MAAC opener.
Rakim Sanders, who came in leading Fairfield in scoring with 18.1 per game, scored 16 points.
