Cuse 63, WVU 52

Syracuse, NY (WIBX) - Another 20 point game from guard Brandon Triche led No. 20 Syracuse to a much needed victory over West Virginia, 63-52, at the Carrier Dome Monday.

Syracuse trailed 30-26 at the break but opened the second half with four consecutive three-point-possessions. Kris Joseph and Brandon Triche each scored and-one-buckets, followed by three pointers from Triche and Scoop Jardine. Jardine's three-ball broke a 35-35 tie, giving the Orange a lead they mainted through the rest of the game.  

Triche followed up Saturday's 21 point performance with 20 on Monday to lead Syracuse (21-6, 8-6 Big East). Joseph scored 16, while Rick Jackson had 10 points, finishing just one rebound shy of a double-double.

The Orange entered the game in desperate need of a victory, losers of 6 of 8 and three straight at home.

Guard Casey Mitchell paced the Mountaineers (16-9, 7-6 Big East) with 23 points, including 7 of 12 from three-point range.

The Orange dipped in national polls released Monday, after being ranked 13th last week. The AP Top 25 had Syracuse at No. 17, while the ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Poll had 'cuse at No. 20.

Syracuse will host Rutgers in the team's next game 0n Saturday at noon.