The 20th ranked Syracuse Orange defeated the #14 Villanova Wildcats 69 – 64 in Philadelphia.
Villanova had a poor shooting night, going 21 for 65 or 32%, but the home team advantage kept them in the game throughout.
Syracuse took the lead six minutes into the game and never relinquished it.
Four foul calls in the last 29 seconds of the first half allowed Villanova to close the gap to 29 – 27. Two rare lane violation calls and a technical had the Orange bench fuming.
Syracuse went 1 for 1 from the free throw line in the first half. (That is not a misprint).
The Wildcats got to within 1 point four times in the second half.
The last time at 65 – 64 with 15 seconds left in the game.
Syracuse made their foul shots in the closing seconds and held on for the win.
Scoop Jardine had 20 points; Rick Jackson had 18.
Kris Joseph fouled out with 7 points and 8 rebounds.
For Villanova, Corey Stokes had 24 points.
The difference in the game was probably the poor shooting of Villanova’s Corey Fisher who missed all 8 three point attempts and was 3 for 16 from the floor.
