Pittsburgh, PA (WIBX) - The No.3 Syracuse Orange fell to No. 4 Pittsburgh on Monday night, the team's first loss of the season. The 74-66 defeat drops Syracuse to 18-1 and 5-1 in the Big East.

Syracuse played without top scorer Kris Joseph who sustained a head injury in the team's previous game after hitting his head on the floor and complaining of headaches.

It was one of the oddest first half's you may ever see. The Panthers stormed out of the gates to take a 19-0 lead only to have the Orange return the favor with a 17-0 run of its own to suddenly make it a two-point game.

C.J. Fair lead the Orange with 16 points. Rick Jackson filled the stat-sheet with 10 points, 11 boards, three steals, three blocks and two assists.

The Panthers Nasir Robinson lead all scorers with 21 points and seven rebounds. Pittsburgh improved to 18-1 and 6-0 in conference play.

The Orange will host No. 7 Villanova on Saturday at noon at the Carrier Dome.

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