#1 Syracuse Upset by Notre Dame, 67-58
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – No. 1 Syracuse (20-1, 7-1) suffered its first loss of the season as the Orange was upset by Notre Dame (12-8, 4-3) on Saturday evening, 67-58, at the Joyce Center.
The loss snapped Syracuse’s 20-game winning streak, and the Orange is now tied for the best start to a season in BIG EAST history with Boston College who started 20-0 during the 2004-05 campaign.
The Fighting Irish made eight three pointers, its most in seven conference games this season, and was 8-of-16 for the game. Notre Dame held Syracuse to season-lows in points (58), field goals made (18) and in field goal percentage (34.0).
Notre Dame had the rebounding advantage 38-25, and tallied 17 assists on its 20 made field goals. Jack Cooley led all scorers with 17 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. James Southerland had a team-high 15 points for the Orange.
Syracuse fell behind early as Notre Dame opened the game by hitting 4-of-6 from behind the arch. The Irish’s fifth three pointer of the half from Alex Dragicevich put Notre Dame up 18 points (35-17), giving Syracuse its largest deficit of the season.
Dion Waiters hit back-to-back three pointers to end the half and cut the Notre Dame lead to 35-23 heading into the locker room.
Two free throws by C.J. Fair at 17:46 of the second half brought SU back within eight at 38-30, but Notre Dame answered with a 10-1 run, stretching its lead back to 17 with 14 minutes remaining.
Syracuse chipped away at the ND lead and got within 10 (50-40) when Kris Joseph connected on his only three-pointer of the night with 7:55 remaining.
Southerland hit his third shot from long range with :56 seconds left to cut Notre Dame’s advantage to six at 62-56, but the Irish converted five of its last six free throws down the stretch to secure the victory.
Syracuse remains on the road for a Monday night contest with Cincinnati (7:00 p.m., ESPN).
Notes: Notre Dame has won the last six times it has played the number one team at home ... Dion Waiters scored in double-figures for the ninth straight game … Scoop Jardine dished out seven assists, bringing his six- game total to 45 helpers (7.5 apg).
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