Cincinnati, OH – Two days after allowing Notre Dame to make half its shots and suffering their first loss of the season, the Syracuse Orange got back on track with a stifling defensive effort.
Gone, though, was their place atop the rankings.
Syracuse, No. 3 in the poll released Monday, held Cincinnati to 34 percent shooting and recorded a 60-53 victory.
Kris Joseph posted 17 points to lead the Orange (21-1, 8-1 Big East), while Scoop Jardine added 13 points and six assists. They played their second consecutive game without rebounding and shot-blocking center Fab Melo, who was not with Syracuse for the road trip for unreleased reasons.
Cashmere Wright scored 17 points to lead the Bearcats (15-6, 5-3), who were coming off Saturday's overtime loss at West Virginia. Yancy Gates had 16 points and 10 boards.
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