Louisville tops Syracuse
By: John Kucko
Updated: February 12, 2011
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- Kyle Kuric scored 23 points, Preston Knowles added 22 and Peyton Siva dropped in the clinching free throws in the final moments to lead No. 16 Louisville past slumping No. 12 Syracuse 73-69 on Saturday, SU's second straight defeat..
The Cardinals (19-6, 8-4 Big East) continued their mastery of the Orange (20-6, 7-6) behind some hot 3-point shooting and just enough defense to beat Syracuse for the seventh straight time.
Brandon Triche led the Orange with a season-high 21 points and Scoop Jardine had 20 points and four assists but Syracuse couldn't quite erase a 20-point second-half deficit to lose for the sixth time in its past eight games.
The Orange pulled within three points twice in the final 2:10 but Louisville survived thanks to clutch free throws from Siva and Chris Smith.
Louisville was 13 of 27 from 3-point range to overcome Syracuse's distinct size advantage.
