Syracuse romps past Va. Comm.

Billy Owens and Stephen Thompson scored 21 points each Fridaynight as top-ranked host Syracuse used an early 21-4 run to routVirginia Commonwealth 100-73 and move into the finals of the CarrierClassic for the 13th time in as many years.

The Orangemen (2-0), who also got 14 points from David Johnson,will play No. 16 Temple (2-0) in the title game tonight. Templeadvanced by defeating Arkansas State (1-1) 65-41 behind Mark Macon's28 points.

Virginia Commonwealth (2-1) was led by Lionel Bacon's 16 points.

Amana-Hawkeye Classic: Seven-foot Les Jepsen had career highs of24 points and 17 rebounds as Iowa defeated Ohio University 75-49 togain a berth in the title game at Iowa City.

Jepsen's previous best was in Iowa's season opener when he had15 points and 16 rebounds. The Hawkeyes will play UC-Santa Barbarain tonight's tournament championship after the Gauchos whippedBradley 86-60 in the other first-round game.

Michael Ingram and James Moses each had nine points for Iowa(3-0).

Ohio University (1-2) got 16 points from Dave Jamerson, 15points below his average. He was the only Bobcat in double figures.

Carrick DeHart scored 19 points and Eric McArthur added 17 tolead UC-Santa Barbara (3-0) over Bradley (1-3).

Tournament of Champions: Jason Matthews scored 28 points and No.18 Pittsburgh (2-0) pulled away down the stretch and beat No. 23Oklahoma State (1-1) 102-90 in the first game at Charlotte, N.C.

Rodney Monroe had 18 points and Chris Corchiani scored 17 pointsto lead No. 25 North Carolina State past Ohio State (1-2) 68-54 inthe second game.

The Wolfpack (3-1) will face Pittsburgh in the finals tonight.

The Panthers led 83-82 with 5:06 left amd scored the next sevenpoints. After Gilbert Johnson hit a 15-foot jumper, Matthews madeboth ends of a bonus situation. Darelle Porter capped the surge witha three-pointer to make it 90-82.

The Wolfpack's man-to-man defense and Ohio State's poor shootingin the first started the rout.

Milwaukee Classic: Danny Jones scored 17 points and Tim Locumhit two free throws with 19 seconds to play as Wisconsin fought off alate rally to beat Gonzaga 63-58 in the first round at Milwaukee.

Wisconsin (4-1), the defending tournament champion, playstonight against Marquette (1-1), which opened the second half with a15-4 run in defeating North Carolina-Wilmington (1-2) 76-54.

Florida 82, Florida St. 69: No. 24 Florida made a successfuldebut under interim coach Don DeVoe, routing Florida St. inGainesville behind a 25-point performance by Dwayne Schintzius.

Central Fidelity Classic: Troy McKoy hit an 18-foot jumper fromthe right wing with three seconds left to lift South Carolina to a52-51 victory over Maryland in the first round at Richmond, Va.

The Gamecocks (2-2) advanced to today's title game against hostRichmond, an 85-78 winner over Army.

Apple Invitational: Adam Keefe scored 19 points and grabbed 15rebounds, and center Derek Bruton scored a career-high 17 for hostStanford as the Cardinal (3-0) downed Lehigh (0-3) 82-59.

STATE SCHOOLS: Paul Lauer scored 46 points to lead AquinasCollege (5-5) of Michigan to a 100-88 victory over Knox (0-3) in theopening game of the Suburu Classic in Kankakee. In the second game,Shane Davis scored 19 points to lead Olivet Nazarene (6-3) to a 93-65win over Upper Iowa (1-3). . . . Tony Donoho scored 29 points as St.Xavier (5-3) defeated Eureka (2-1) 81-74 in the Judson meet in Elgin.

St. John's of Minnesota (1-2) defeated North Central (0-1) 64-62 in the Oshkosh (Wis.) Holiday tourney. . . . Chad Randolphscored 15 points to help lead host Augustana (2-1) to a 73-71overtime win over Mount Mercy of Iowa (3-5). In the opening game,Wittenberg (4-0) scored a 70-69 victory over Illinois Benedictine(3-2).

Chris Stanley scored 20 points to lead North Park (2-1) to an83-76 win over St. Thomas of Florida (0-5). . . . Lamont McGeescored 27 points in leading Rosary over McKendree 86-78.