Syracuse 87, Cincinnati 63

Published Mar. 1, 2009 9:27 p.m. ET

foxsports

Jonny Flynn scored 17 points and Syracuse held Cincinnati to just two baskets in the first 10 minutes, rolling to an easy 87-63 victory Sunday, breaking a three-way tie for seventh place in the Big East Conference. Every Orange starter finished with double-figure scoring, including Paul Harris, who had 16 points, and Eric Devendorf and Rick Jackson, who each scored 13 points. Syracuse's 2-3 zone baffled the Bearcats, who made just six of 30 shots - including 1-of-15 from long range - and scored a season low 17 points in the first half. Syracuse led 40-17 at halftime and extended its lead to as much as 33 points midway through the second half as the Orange (21-8, 9-7) won for the third time in its last four games. Cincinnati (18-11, 8-8) was led by Dion Dixon's 18 points. The first eight teams in the conference receive a first-round bye in Big East Conference tournament in two weeks.