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).