COL BKB: Syracuse 78, DePaul 57

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SYRACUSE, N.Y., March 6 (UPI) -- C.J. Fair scored seven points during a 15-0 first-half run Wednesday that propelled No. 16 Syracuse to a 78-57 victory over DePaul.

The Orange coasted in the second half after breaking things open with the big run and improved to 23-7 for the season. Syracuse is 11-7 in Big East Conference play with one game remaining in the league season.

DePaul owned a 24-20 lead with 7:30 to go in the opening half and then went scoreless for almost 7 minutes while Syracuse was putting the game away.

James Southerland led the Orange with 22 points and 10 rebounds while Fair contributed 16 points. Fair's 3-pointer ended the Syracuse surge in the first half.

The Orange survived a slow start and shot 39 percent from the field, making only 2-of-18 from 3-point range. Syracuse forced 17 turnovers while committing eight.

Cleveland Melvin scored 15 points to lead DePaul (11-19, 2-15 Big East).