Carmelo Anthony returned to the Dome. The "home" team won. What more could Syracuse Orange fans ask of the Philadelphia 76ers' 98-90 win over the New York Knicks in an exhibition game inside the Carrier Dome Monday night?

Anthony, the former Syracuse star who led the Orange to the 2003 NCAA championship, scored 23 points in his Dome homecoming. Anthony also had six rebounds, five assists and four steals.

8,831 fans (Ed. Note - That's it?) watched The Chosen One return. Alas, they were witness to Carmelo's first-ever loss inside the Dome. Melo was 17-0 at home in his lone season with Syracuse and had previously won an exhibition game as part of the Denver Nuggets.

Anthony felt the love from the pro-SU and pro-Knicks crowd and shared his appreciation afterward.

"A lot of fans came out and supported me and supported the Knicks tonight,’’ Anthony said. "I did want to play. My juices got flowing out there in the third quarter. The competitiveness came out.’’

"Tonight was just to give something back to the fans for coming out and showing their support,’’ Anthony said. "Me being back here, playing another game, it brings back so many different memories.’’

The game also brought out a lot of Syracuse-level celebrities. Jim Boeheim, Floyd Little, Dolph Schayes and Rod Thorn all showed up to watch the Team Formerly Known As The Syracuse Nationals beat Syracuse's golden boy.