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Syracuse buries Providence, extends home win streak

Feb 21, 2013 - 6:43 AM Syracuse, NY (Sports Network) - C.J. Fair and James Southerland each scored 20 points, as eighth-ranked Syracuse continued the nation's longest homecourt winning streak with an 84-59 waxing of Providence at the Carrier Dome.

The Orange's 38th straight win at the Carrier Dome came against a team riding a four-game winning streak that included victories over Cincinnati and Notre Dame. Syracuse made sure there wasn't an upset possibility on Wednesday, using a 27-2 first-half scoring stretch to calm any doubts.

Michael Carter-Williams posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 assists for Syracuse (22-4, 10-3 Big East), which won for the fourth time in five games.

LaDontae Henton and Vincent Council led Providence (14-12, 6-8) with 15 points apiece, while the Big East's best scorer, Bryce Cotton, struggled to just 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting.

"He played one of his better games that he's played in a long time," Providence coach Ed Cooley said of Carter-Williams. "If he's making assists, they're really good."

The Friars pounded the ball into the interior in the early going, holding an 8-7 edge on Council's layup just before the first television timeout about 4 1/2 minutes in. Henton's slam just prior to another timeout kept the visitors in the discussion at 12-10, and they trailed just 16-14 before the wheels fell off.

The interior passing lanes went away, and Providence couldn't find its stroke from the perimeter as the Orange continued to capitalize on their opponent's empty possessions.

The game-defining stretch started with a jumper from Southerland and three straight baskets off Carter-Williams' passes opened a double-digit lead at 25-14. Syracuse finished the first half on a remarkable 27-2 scoring burst, which turned a close game into a rout by the half.

"In the first half we really controlled the basketball. We were patient, we moved the ball, we made shots, and that's when we're at our best obviously," said Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim.

Providence missed 11 of its last 12 shots and the conference's leading scorer, Cotton, was held to just two points on three shots. Southerland scored 14 points and Carter-Williams dished out eight assists, including on the last four made baskets of the half.

Fair's slam and Brandon Triche's three from the right wing opened a 43-16 advantage by intermission. Syracuse shot 63 percent from the floor in the half compared to just 29.6 percent for the visitors.

The Orange rolled through the second half with the outcome never in doubt.

Game Notes

Boeheim won his 912th career game ... The Orange lead the all-time series, 48-10 ... Cotton came into the game averaging 20.4 points per contest on the season, good for 12th nationally ... Triche scored 14 points in the win ... Kadeem Batts added 13 points, while Henton grabbed 13 rebounds in the loss. Council also contributed seven assists and five steals for the Friars ... Fair grabbed 10 rebounds in the win ... Providence finished with 16 offensive rebounds.