Live From New York... Syracuse And Villanova In A Saturday Night Big East Showdown

For more on tonight’s game, check out SB Nation’s fabulous Syracuse blog, Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician.

Syracuse, NY (Sports Network) - Rick Jackson poured in 19 points to lead a balanced Orange attack, as fourth-ranked Syracuse pulled away to beat No. 7 Villanova, 95-77, in front of a record crowd at the Carrier Dome.

Arinze Onuaku tallied 17 points and nine rebounds, while Scoop Jardine and Kris Joseph each scored 16 for Syracuse, which won for the 14th time in 15 games and clinched a share of the Big East title and the No. 1 seed for the conference tournament.

With top-ranked Kansas and No. 2 Kentucky losing earlier Saturday, it’s likely the Orange will be anointed the new No. 1 team when the new rankings are released Monday.

Playing before a sea of orange and 34,616 fans, the largest on-campus crowd in NCAA history, Syracuse (27-2, 14-2 Big East) gained a 10-point halftime lead and used its suffocating 2-3 zone defense in the second half to send the Wildcats (23-5, 12-4) to their third loss in four games.

Wesley Johnson totaled 14 points and 10 boards, while Andy Rautins scored 12 in the win.

Scottie Reynolds had 16 points to lead the Wildcats, who were victimized by a 20-6 run by Syracuse to end the first half. They never recovered over the final 20 minutes.

Corey Fisher had 14 points, while Mouphtaou Yarou and Antonio Pena both scored 13 in defeat.

Reynolds hit a jumper with under six minutes left in the opening half to give the Wildcats a 30-26 edge, but Jardine started Syracuse’s big push with a three-pointer.

The frantic pace continued with Joseph jamming to put Syracuse ahead. Johnson then capped a 10-0 run with a pair of free throws.

Villanova came back a bit, pulling within 36-33 on a Taylor King three-ball, but Jackson threw down a two-handed jam off an assist from Rautins. Two free throws by Rautins then pushed the lead to seven, as he tied father and Syracuse hoops legend Leo Rautins with 1,032 points.

Syracuse led 46-36 at the half, and Rautins passed his father by drilling a three-pointer early in the second half.

Rautins continued to provide a spark, passing to Onuaku for a jam, which turned into a three-point play for a 75-58 lead with 8:19 remaining. Syracuse remained comfortably ahead the rest of the game.

Villanova won at the Carrier Dome the previous two years...Syracuse leads the all-time series versus Villanova, 35-30, but the Wildcats had won the past three encounters.