Syracuse, NY (Sports Network) - C.J. Fair scored 22 points and Jerami Grant added a career-high 13 in the absence of James Southerland, as seventh-ranked Syracuse claimed a 72-61 victory over Villanova at the Carrier Dome.

Southerland, Syracuse's second-leading scorer and leading 3-point shooter despite coming off the bench, was held out of the contest because of an eligibility issue. Details were not provided and it was uncertain when the problem would be resolved.

Grant, though, provided some extra offense, especially with Brandon Triche on the bench for much of the second half in foul trouble. Triche and Michael Carter-Williams each finished with 10 points for Syracuse (16-1, 4-0 Big East), which has won six straight since its lone loss of the season against Temple in December. The Orange also extended the nation's longest home winning streak to 34 games.

JayVaughn Pinkston led Villanova with 12 points and Mouphtaou Yarou contributed 11 with 14 rebounds in defeat. The Wildcats (11-5, 2-1) had won seven in a row entering the contest and lost to Syracuse for the third straight time.

The Sports Network