No. 7 Syracuse 72, Providence 66: C.J. Fair had 23 points and 11 rebounds as the visiting Orange survived an early 3-point shooting onslaught by the Friars' Bryce Cotton before holding off pesky Providence.

Michael Carter-Williams, who entered the game leading the nation at 9.8 assists, had 17 points and six assists for Syracuse (15-1, 3-0 Big East), which defeated Providence for the sixth straight time despite finishing 3-for-21 from 3-point range. The Orange, though, shot 56.1 percent from inside the arc while outscoring the Friars 46-25 in the paint.

Rakeem Christmas scored a career-high 15 points and had eight rebounds for Syracuse, which won the battle of the boards 41-27 and were 17-for-18 from the free throw line, including 9-for-10 by Fair. Cotton scored 17 of his 24 points with five 3-pointers in the first half, but Providence (8-7, 0-3) couldn't sustain the momentum en route to its fifth straight loss.

Syracuse began the week No. 9 in the country in 3-point field goal percentage defense at 26.8, but were torched by Cotton, who made his first five from 3-point range to help the Friars take a 33-30 lead at intermission. After the Orange led 16-10, Providence ripped off a 23-8 run before Syracuse scored the final six points of the first half.

The Friars increased their lead to 38-32 before James Southerland's 3-pointer with 11:24 remaining capped a 15-5 run for the Orange. After Providence drew even, Brandon Triche's bucket put Syracuse ahead for good 49-47 with 9:51 to go.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Friars F Kadeem Batts, who was averaging 16.2 points, scored three and was 1-for-8 from the field. ... Syracuse has won 47 of the last 57 meetings, 10 of the last 11 and improved to 23-6 in Providence. ... The Friars fell to 8-2 when leading at halftime.