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Syracuse continues tough stretch against Notre Dame

Jan 17, 2009 - 11:19 AM No. 13 Notre Dame (12-4) at No. 8 Syracuse (16-2) 12:00 p.m. EST

SYRACUSE, New York (Ticker) -- After easing into conference play in the loaded Big East, Syracuse's ranking is finally being put to the test.

The eighth-ranked Orange continue their toughest stretch of the season on Saturday, when they try to bounce back from their first Big East loss against No. 13 Notre Dame.

Syracuse (16-2, 4-1 Big East) surged into the top 10 with four straight wins to open its conference schedule. However, those victories came against Seton Hall, South Florida, DePaul and Rutgers, which are currently the last four teams in the Big East standings with one conference win combined.

The Orange struggled in their first true test in the Big East, dropping an 88-74 decision to 12th-ranked Georgetown on Wednesday that snapped a seven-game win streak.

The schedule won't get any easier for Syracuse, which faces top-ranked Pittsburgh and No. 20 Louisville following its matchup against the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame (12-4, 3-2) is also coming off a loss, enduring a tough 87-73 overtime setback against Louisville on Monday.

After Tory Jackson's errant pass ended up in the backcourt on the Irish's final possession of regulation, the team hit only 1-of-8 shots in the extra session, ending a two-game win streak.