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Syracuse beats DePaul, remains unbeaten

Jan 2, 2012 - 12:50 AM Rosemont, IL (Sports Network) - Kris Joseph scored 22 points and pulled down seven rebounds, as the top-ranked Syracuse Orange remained perfect with an 87-68 victory over the DePaul Blue Demons.

C.J. Fair added 16 points on 6-for-6 shooting for the Orange (15-0, 2-0 Big East), who have won by double figures 12 times this year. Dion Waiters tallied 13 points.

Cleveland Melvin ended with 23 points and eight rebounds for the Blue Demons (9-4, 0-1), who had a five-game winning streak snapped. Donnavan Kirk added 14 points.

Holding a 24-18 lead with 8:20 left in the first half, Syracuse went on a 9-0 run to create some distance. James Southerland made a three-pointer and layup to spark the burst, which Waiters capped with a layup for a 33-18 edge with 5:52 to go.

The Orange ripped off eight straight points later in the half to gain a 45-24 margin with over a minute left.

Syracuse had a 45-26 edge at the break and cruised to victory in the second half.

Game Notes

The Orange own a 9-4 series lead over the Blue Demons...Syracuse shot 58.6 percent from the field...DePaul went 3-for-18 from three-point range...Fab Melo had 12 points for the Orange.