COL BKB: Marquette 74, Syracuse 71

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MILWAUKEE, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Reserve Davante Gardner poured in 26 points for No. 22 Marquette Monday and the Golden Eagles got past No. 12 Syracuse 74-71 in a key Big East battle.

Gardner also provided eight rebounds for the Golden Eagles (20-7, 11-4 Big East), who reeled off their 24th straight home win and stayed in the hunt for the conference title following a Saturday loss to Villanova.

Jamil Wilson contributed 12 points and seven assists in Marquette's victory.

The Orange (22-6, 10-5) got 20 points from C.J. Fair but it wasn't enough to prevent their second straight defeat, which put them two games behind conference-leading Georgetown.

James Southerland put in 15 points for Syracuse.