Syracuse used contributions from a trio of Philadelphia natives to help the Orange pick up a big road win and even the season series with Villanova.
Two nights removed from a lackluster performance at home against Rutgers, Syracuse responded with what may have been its best win to date. The Orange played one of their best defensive games of the season to upset No. 14 Villanova Monday, 69-64.
Led by a trio of Philadelphia-born players, the Orange used a smothering defense and caused the Wildcats to miss 16 of their first 17 field goal attempts – including a drought of nearly nine minutes early in the game. As a team, Villanova was held to 32 percent from the field and a dismal 19 percent (5-of-26) from 3-point range.
Villanova handed Syracuse its first loss of the season and snapped the Orange's 18 game winning streak. Monday, SU will travel to Philadelphia with an opportunity to return the favor.
After a thrilling overtime victory against Rutgers, the Syracuse Orange are heading to Philadelphia to face the Villanova Wildcats. SU will look to avenge its earlier season loss when Villanova defeated the Orange, 82-73, and snapped its 18 game win-streak.
Villanova used hot shooting early and free throw shooting down the stretch to hand the No. 3 Orange their second consecutive loss.
Syracuse’s motto this year is “Unfinished Business.” Following an 11 point loss to No. 7 Villanova in front of the second largest on-campus crowd in NCAA history, the Orange are certainly grasping the full meaning of that phrase.