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GAME NOTES: Off to their best start ever, the third-ranked Syracuse Orange take their show on the road today to tangle with the Cincinnati Bearcats in a Big East clash at Fifth Third Arena.

On Tuesday, the Orange squashed Providence, 85-68, to improve to a healthy 22-1 overall, marking the best start to a season in program history. Winners of nine straight, Syracuse is tied with Villanova atop the Big East standings at 9-1. Furthermore, the Orange have been impressive on the road this season, going a perfect 8-0 in games played away from home.

As for the Bearcats, they are seeking another victory against a ranked opponent, having gone 3-1 against Top 25 foes this season. Cincinnati could use another quality win, as it has fallen in two of its past three outings, including an 83-65 setback at Notre Dame on Thursday. Now at 5-5 within the conference, the Bearcats return home, where they have been tough on opponents and own an 11-1 record.

This is just the seventh all-time meeting between Syracuse and Cincinnati on the hardwood, with the Orange holding a 4-2 edge in the series.

The Orange opened the second half with a 22-5 run, as they turned a 37-34 halftime advantage into an 85-68 victory over Providence earlier in the week. Syracuse shot an efficient 57.6 percent from the floor and that is not surprising for a club that is hitting on 53.1 percent of its field goals on the season. Kris Joseph led the attack with a career-best 23 points off the bench, while Arinze Onuaku added a season-high 20 points. Wes Johnson had an off night with just eight points and five boards, but he is still the go-to- guy for this club, leading the Orange with 16.7 ppg and 9.0 rpg for the season. Joseph, who has started just one game, is next with 11.0 ppg and he is averaging 16.8 ppg over his last four games. Onuaku and Andy Rautins chip in 10.3 ppg apiece, with Rautins also dishing off a team-high 4.9 apg.

The Bearcats shot a lackluster 38.2 percent from the floor, including a poor 7-of-28 effort from long distance, as they were handled by Notre Dame on Thursday. Cincinnati, a normally strong rebounding team, also lost the battle on the boards 41-32. Larry Davis guided the squad in defeat with 12 points on 4-of-8 three-pointers, while Deonta Vaughn had 11 points and six helpers. Lance Stephenson tacked on eight points and he remains the team's leading scorer on the season with an average of 12.0 ppg. Vaughn puts forth 11.9 ppg and a team-high 3.6 apg, while Yancy Gates adds 10.5 ppg and a team-best 6.6 rpg to the mix.

Syracuse is clearly one of the elite teams in the nation, but Cincinnati has been tough to beat on its home floor. Expect the Bearcats to come with a great deal of energy and use their solid defense and rebounding to knock off the Orange today.