Shorthanded Syracuse hands Louisville third straight loss

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WEBVTT FOR MORE, HERE'S NATALIE GRISE.>> WHEN YOU LOOK AT LOUISVILLE'SSCHEDULE, THIS GAME AGAINSTSYRACUSE WAS NOT ONE OF THEYCOULD AFFORD TO LOSE.BIGGER THAN THE IMPLICATIONS ANDTHE ACC STANDINGS IS THEPOSTSEASON AND THE IMMEDIATEFUTURE.THIS IS A TEAM DEALING WITH ATHREE-GAME LOSING STREAK ON TOPOF EVERYTHING ELSE THEY HAVEBEEN THROUGH ON AND OFF THECOURT.WHEN DAVID PADGETT ADDRESSED HISGUYS, HE TOLD THEM HOW YOURESPOND TO THIS WILL BE ADEFINING POINT IN THE REST OFTHE SEASON.>> I WAS HONEST WITH THEM AFTERTHE GAME I SAID WE WERE IN ACORNER.WE HAVE.TWO OPTIONS -- WE HAVE TWOOPTIONS.WE CAN WILL TOUR WE CAN FIGHTOUR WAY OUT OF IT.WE ARE GOING TO FIGHT AND GETBACK TO WORK AND GET THIS THINGFIXED.>> THE WILL TO FIGHT AND SWINGINSTEAD OF HOW YOU BACK AGAINSTTHE WALL.TODAY, YOU CAN TELL WE HAVE ITIN US.WE WERE DOWN 14 OR 12 AT SOMEPOINT, AND PEOPLE WERE NOTGIVING UP.IT'S IS GOING TO HAPPEN EVERYSINGLE POSSESSION.YOU CANNOT WAIT UNTIL YOU AREDOWN AND THEN TRY TO COME BACK.YOU FIGHT EVERY SINGLEPOSSESSION.>> THE SYRACUSE HEAD COACH ISHAD A LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIPWITH THE FORMER U OF L COACH,RICK PITINO, AND THIS IS THEFIRST TIME THAT THEY HAVE METWITHOUT RICK PITINO IN THESIDELINES.THEY WAIT IN ON WHAT TRANSPIRED.THEY SAY PITINO IS ONE OF THETOP TO COLLEGE AT 12 COACHESAMONG JOHN WOODEN.THEY POINT OUT THAT THOSE GUYS

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - —

Tyus Battle scored 25 points to lead Syracuse to a 78-73 victory over Louisville Monday night.

Syracuse (16-8, 5-6) never trailed in the final 28:58 as they snapped a two-game losing streak. However, the Cardinals (16-8, 6-5) made it interesting down the stretch against the Orange, who had just six healthy scholarship players and played just seven.

Syracuse led 65-53 with 7:36 remaining, but the Louisville pulled within 67-65 after two free throws from Ray Spalding with 4:05 left. The Cardinals then went more than two minutes without a basket.

Spalding, who did not start after injuring his ankle in Saturday's loss to Florida State, finished with 18 points and nine rebounds

Jordan Nwora hit a 3-pointer for Louisville with 27 seconds left to get within 73-70, but the Cardinals would get no closer.

Frank Howard finished with 22 points for the Orange, who also got 16 points from Oshae Brisett.

Anas Mahmoud and Deng Adel finished with 10 each for Louisville, who made just 3 of 19 3-point shots