Syracuse 60 - 78 Pittsburgh
Final
  for this game

Coming off first loss, Pittsburgh hosts Syracuse

Jan 19, 2009 - 5:25 PM No. 8 Syracuse (17-2) at No. 4 Pittsburgh (16-1), 7:00 p.m. EST

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- After losing at Louisville, Pittsburgh hopes a return to the Petersen Events Center will help the team get back in the win column.

The fourth-ranked Panthers host No. 8 Syracuse in a Big East Conference matchup on Monday.

Pittsburgh (16-1, 4-1 Big East) failed to close out Louisville on Saturday, blowing double-digit leads in each half of a 69-63 setback that ended its undefeated start.

Jermaine Dixon scored a career-high 19 points for Pittsburgh, which won its previous two games with the No. 1 ranking - the school's first.

One of three teams that entered the weekend without a loss, the Panthers are expected to drop out of the top spot, especially since third-ranked Wake Forest (16-0) topped Clemson (16-1) in a clash of undefeated teams on Saturday.

Despite an 11-0 record at home, it does get any easier for Pittsburgh against the Orange, who are coming off a 93-74 triumph over Notre Dame on Saturday.

Arinze Onuaku led six players in double figures with 19 points for Syracuse (17-2, 5-1), which shot 55 percent (37-of-67) in the win.

Pittsburgh has won the last five regular-season meetings. The Orange last defeated the Panthers on February 29, 2004.






Related News