COL BKB: Syracuse advances in Big East

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NEW YORK, March 14 (UPI) -- James Southerland went 6-of-9 from beyond the arc and had 20 points Wednesday in carrying No. 20 Syracuse past Seton Hall and into the Big East quarterfinals.

Cincinnati, Villanova and Notre Dame also won second-round games Wednesday.

Syracuse had lost four of its last five regular-season contests, but Southerland helped the Orange (24-8) set up a quarterfinal meeting with fourth-seeded Pittsburgh.

C.J. Fair scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half while Brandon Triche added 17 points for Syracuse. Aaron Cosby led Seton Hall (15-18) with 22 points.

Cincinnati reached the quarterfinals with a 61-44 decision over Providence, Villanova defeated St. John's 66-53 and Notre Dame was a 69-61 winner over Rutgers.

Cincinnati will take on Georgetown in the quarterfinal opener Thursday with Villanova meeting Louisville and Notre Dame facing Marquette.

Pat Connaughton led Notre Dame (24-8) by making 6-of-8 from 3-point range. The Fighting Irish are trying to get to the conference championship game in their last appearance in the event.

Mouphtaou Yarou went 9-of-10 from the field and had 18 points in Villanova's win. The Wildcats (20-12) appear to be a lock for the NCAA Tournament after a big win over Georgetown last week and Wednesday's decision only helped matters.

Cincinnati's effort against Providence was led by Sean Kilpatrick's 17 points. Cincinnati (22-10) held the Friars to just 28 percent shooting and Providence scored only one field goal in the game's first 6:30.