COL BKB: Syracuse 55, South Florida 44

TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Brandon Triche fired in 20 points Sunday, sparking seventh-ranked Syracuse to a 55-44 Big East Conference victory over South Florida.

James Southerland helped out with 17 points while C.J. Fair added 10 and 10 rebounds for the Orange (14-1, 2-0 Big East).

Syracuse won despite managing to shoot only 36.5 percent from the field, including 4-of-17 from 3-point territory.

South Florida (9-4, 0-1) fell despite getting 15 points and 11 boards from Victor Rudd in its conference opener.