COL BKB: Syracuse 72, Villanova 61

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SYRACUSE, N.Y., Jan. 12 (UPI) -- C.J. Fair scored 22 points Saturday to lead seventh-ranked Syracuse past Villanova 72-61.

Fair blocked four shots and grabbed five rebounds in the win, which extended Syracuse's (16-1, 4-0 Big East) home winning streak to 34 games.

Jerami Grant contributed 13 points for the Orange, who were without second-leading scorer James Southerland, who was benched due to an eligibility problem. Brandon Triche was limited to 25 minutes and 10 points due to foul trouble.

JayVaughn Pinkston led Villanova (11-5, 2-1) with 12 points. Mouphtaou Yarou had 11 points and 14 rebounds.

Villanova came into the game sporting a seven-game winning streak but wound up losing to Syracuse for the third consecutive time.