THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Sunday, February 3, 2002) -- The Syracuse Orangmen continued to struggle when away from the Carrier Dome.

Jerome Coleman scored 22 of his 27 points in the second half in posting his second straight career best and Rutgers used a late 11-0 run to beat No. 14 Syracuse 82-74 Saturday night.

DeShaun Williams and Preston Shumpert, playing in protective glasses to shield an injured eye, each had 21 points for Syracuse, which has lost four of five games, all on the road.

"It's hard to fault our defense, on some of those (3-point) shots, they were about as far out as you can get," Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said. "We didn't shoot the ball well around the basket, but we battled hard. That was the best we played on the road in the last three or four games. We just couldn't finish it."

The win over a ranked team was the second straight for new coach Gary Waters and the Scarlet Knights (5-4 Big East, 14-7), marking the first time that's happened in school history.

Rutgers also beat No. 17 Connecticut 61-53 on Wednesday night behind Coleman's 26-point effort.

"I like to take big shots," said Coleman, who hit two late 3-pointers, including one that gave Rutgers the lead for good at 74-72 with 3:08 to play.

"All the coaches that I ever played for said I have a knack of making big shots. And it's true, I guess."

The win was the Scarlet Knights' biggest win over a ranked team since knocking off No. 6 West Virginia in 1982. It also gave them three wins over ranked teams this season, tying the school record.

Rutgers also beat then-No. 24 Georgetown earlier this season.

"I think this is the most fun I've had in my life," said Rutgers senior center Rashod Kent, who added 12 points and 15 rebounds. "There is so much enthusiasm and life on campus now, and everybody is out supporting us, excited about what we have going.

"To beat Syracuse and Connecticut back to back, that's the highlight of my career."

It's also totally unexpected from a team that lost to Syracuse (6-3, 17-6) by 21 points earlier this season, and was picked to finish last in its division.

Williams gave Syracuse its final lead at 72-71, hitting two free throws with 3:26 to play.