The UConn Huskies offense struggled to get going in the first half of their home contest against Big East-best Syracuse, with the Orange coasting to a 43-29 lead.

Jeremy Lamb was the only Husky to score in double figures, notching 12 points. UConn also struggled to keep up with the Orange on the boards, losing the rebounding battle 21-13.

Kris Joseph led Syracuse with 12 first half points.

Jim Calhoun remains away from the UConn bench with lower back issues, and the Huskies hope for him to return later this season. A win would push UConn back to .500 in Big East conference play and add an important victory to their NCAA Tournament resume.

Syracuse clinched the top seed in the Big East tournament earlier in the day by virtue of Notre Dame's loss to St. John's at Madison Square Garden.

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