The beleaguered Syracuse basketball 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, at the Carrier Dome.

“I believe I misspoke very badly in my response to the allegations that have been made,’’ he said. “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.’’

“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.

“They need to get the message out,’’ he said. “I’m going to do everything I can to do that, whether I’m coaching or not coaching.’’

It’s the second game since the firing of longtime associate head coach Bernie Fine, who has been accused by three men of molesting them as minors.

Fine, who was fired Sunday, has denied the allegations.

Just as he was in Tuesday’s home win over Eastern Michigan, Boeheim was greeted by a nice ovation when he was introduced to a crowd of 24,459.

Syracuse (8-0) breezed to its first seven wins with an average margin of victory of 26 points, but the Gators (5-2), whose only previous loss was by 7 at No. 2 Ohio State, figured to provide a stiff challenge.

Brandon Triche had 20 points and Scoop Jardine finished with 16 points and seven assists for the Orange. Kenny Boynton led Florida with 22 points.

After the Orange built a 39-30 lead early in the second, Boynton led the Gators back with three 3s, the last putting Florida back on top 49-46 with 9:19 to go. Triche tied it for the fourth time in the period 11 seconds later with his first 3 of the game.

Jardine fed Joseph for a slam to break the tie and Jardine’s steal and layup had the Orange up 54-49 with 6:20 to go.

Louisville 62, Vanderbilt 60 - Peyton Siva drove through the defense for a layup with 1.4 seconds left and the No. 6 Cardinals (7-0) beat the No. 20 Commodores (5-3) in overtime in Louisville, Ky.

Missouri 90, Northwestern St. 56 - Marcus Denmon scored a career-high 31 points and the No. 13 Tigers (7-0) went on a pair of big runs to rout the visiting Demons (4-4).

Amherst 81, Springfield 71 - Aaron Toomey scored his team’s final 10 points, finishing with a 21, as the Lord Jeffs (5-0), ranked third in Division 3, beat the host Pride (5-1).

Women

Notre Dame 69, Penn 38 - Devereaux Peters scored 16 points and Natalie Novosel added 14 to lead the third-ranked Irish (6-1) past the visiting Quakers (4-2).