Frank Howard Leads Syracuse Past Pitt 59-45

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Frank Howard had 18 points, seven rebounds and five steals and Syracuse snapped a four-game losing streak, defeating Pittsburgh 59-45 Tuesday night.

With the win the Orange (13-6, 2-4 ACC) averted the first five-game losing streak in coach Jim Boeheim's 42-year tenure.

Tyus Battle, who scored just four first-half points for Syracuse, had 15. Oshae Brissett added 10.

Freshman Parker Stewart, who entered the game with a 7.3 scoring average, tallied a career-high 23 points for Pitt (8-11, 0-6) on 7-of-13 from beyond the arc. Kene Chukwuka had seven and Terrell Brown added six.

Clinging to a 31-29 lead with nearly 17 minutes to go, Syracuse went on a 22-8 run to extend to a 53-37 lead. Howard and Battle led the Orange down the stretch, scoring 10 and seven points, respectively.

Syracuse closed the first half on an 8-0 run, fueled by Battle's four points to take a 27-22 lead at intermission. Pitt went without a field goal for more than seven minutes, but stayed close thanks to Stewart, who nearly doubled his season average of 7.3 points a game with 12 points - two short of his career high - on 4 of 7 3-pointers.

Frank Howard led the Orange with eight first-half points. Battle shot just 2 of 8 from the field.

BIG PICTURE:

Pitt might have found a 3-point shooting gem in Stewart.

Syracuse recorded a much-needed win and now has an extended break to savor the victory. The Orange has lots of work to do, though, to get back to .500 in the league.

UP NEXT:

Pitt travels to Cameron Indoor Stadium Saturday and a date with Duke.

Syracuse has an extended break until a home date Jan. 24 against Boston College.

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