Syracuse's Dion Waiters, left, drives against Connecticut's Niels Giffey during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Syracuse, N.Y., Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012. (AP Photo/KevinRivoli)

Top 25: No. 2 Syracuse 85, Connecticut 67

By JOHN KEKIS

| AP Sports Writer

First Published Feb 11 2012 01:32 pm • Last Updated Feb 11 2012 11:41 pm

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).

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