Story Created:
Jan 22, 2012 at 12:03 AM EDT
Story Updated:
Jan 22, 2012 at 12:03 AM EDT
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 Orange were playing without center Fab Melo, who didn't travel with travel with the Orange for their two game road trip.
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).
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