Top 25: No. 2 Syracuse 85, Connecticut 67

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. • Scoop Jardine sparked a game-deciding rally with 3-pointers on consecutive possessions in the closing minutes, and No. 2 Syracuse beat Connecticut 85-67 on Saturday.

Jardine had a season-high 21 points as Syracuse (25-1, 12-1 Big East) earned its fifth consecutive win since suffering its only loss of the season at Notre Dame.

Connnecticut trailed the entire second half but closed to 63-61 on a free throw by Tyler Olander with 6:26 to go.

Jardine, who had six assists and only one turnover, then hit 3-pointers from the right side as the Orange closed the game with a 19-3 surge. Jardine also hit a layup and another 3 from the top of the key to key the rally.

Jeremy Lamb scored 18 points for Connecticut (15-9, 5-7).