COL BKB: Syracuse 78, Villanova 62

SYRACUSE, N.Y., Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Trevor Cooney scored 21 points Saturday and second-ranked Syracuse rebounded from a slow start to overcome No. 11 Villanova 78-62.

Cooney connected on 5-of-8 3-point tries and Tyler Ennis added 20 points to help the unbeaten Orange (12-0) rally from an 18-point, first-half deficit at the Carrier Dome.

C.J. Fair provided 17 points and six rebounds as Syracuse dealt Villanova its first defeat of the season in a battle of former Big East rivals.

James Bell pumped in 25 points, including six 3-pointers for the Wildcats (11-1), who shot only 38 percent from the field for the game despite starting strongly.