Orange rout Providence in 2nd half

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -Rick Jackson scored a career-high 28 points, 17 in the second half, and No. 4 Syracuse recovered from an eight-point deficit to beat Providence 99-85 on Tuesday night. Andy Rautins scored a season-high 28 points, Jackson added nine rebounds and Arinze Onuaku had 12 points and nine boards for the Orange (26-2, 13-2), who clinched a double-bye into the quarterfinals of the Big East tournament. After Jamine Peterson hit a 3-pointer to open the second half and give the Friars a 55-47 lead, Syracuse scored the next 14 points. Marshon Brooks made a basket for Providence (12-15, 4-11) with 13:29 left to cut the deficit to four points, but the Orange scored the next 12 to put it away. Brooks and Peterson both scored 23 for Providence, which has lost seven straight since beating then-No. 19 Connecticut on Jan. 27. Up next for the Orange, Saturday nights showdown at the Carrier Dome with Villanova, a 9:00pm EST tipoff in front of what will be a record crowd.