Syracuse 73, Providence 66

PROVIDENCE, R.I., Jan. 5 (UPI) -- DeShaun Williams and Kueth Duany scored 16 points apiece Saturday as 10th-ranked Syracuse battled back from an 11-point deficit in the second half to beat Providence, 73-66.

The Orangemen (13-2, 2-0 Big East West Division) extended their winning streak over the Friars (9-6, 0-2 East) at the Civic Center to six games. Since the start of Big East play, Syracuse has recorded 32 victories in 38 regular-season meetings with Providence.

Preston Shumpert, Syracuse's leading scorer, scored seven straight points to turn a one-point deficit into a 65-59 lead for the Orangemen with 2:41 left.

Syracuse was able to mount a comeback due to its defense, holding Providence to just over 35 percent shooting from the floor. The Orangemen have held their opponents to 66 points or fewer in 11 of their 15 games this season.

Christopher Anrin led the Friars with 20 points. John Linehan, the reigning Big East Defensive Player of the Year, recorded his 300th career steal in the first half as the Friars took a 32-31 lead into the locker room.

Linehan made a three-pointer with just under 13 minutes remaining in the contest, giving Providence its largest lead, 47-36. But the Friars lost their second straight Big East game after losing, 76-57 at Villanova on Wednesday.