SYRACUSE, N.Y., Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Freshman Carmelo Anthony collected 21 points and 13 rebounds as the 17th-ranked Syracuse Orangemen extended their home winning streak to 17 games Tuesday night with a 66-60 Big East Conference victory over St. John's.
Marcus Hatten came up with a career-high 10 steals to help the Red Storm (12-10, 5-7 Big East East) create a sloppy game with the favored Orangemen. Syracuse committed 13 turnovers in the first half but took advantage of poor shooting by St. John's for a 33-27 lead.
A 3-pointer by freshman Gerry McNamara tied it at 54-54 with four minutes left and triggered a 7-0 burst that gave Syracuse (18-4, 9-3 West) the lead for good. Hakim Warrick made a pair at the line and Anthony nailed a jumper for a four-point lead with 2:11 to play.
The victory allowed the Orangemen to remain in first place in the West division. They are one-half game ahead of Notre Dame and Pittsburgh.
St. John's played without forward Kyle Cuffe, who started the first 16 games. Cuffe got into an argument with Coach Mike Jarvis, was benched for Saturday's loss to Providence and suspended.
