The absence of Fab Melo absolutely hurt the Orange in this game as Notre Dame dominated inside en route to a 67-58 win over Syracuse.
Notre Dame big man Jack Cooley couldn't be contained rebounding or scoring down low with 17 points and 10 rebounds, showing just how much SU missed Melo's defense.
Syracuse couldn't get going offensively shooting under 37% for the game.
The Orange did show moxie, cutting an early 18 point deficit to just 9, and when Notre Dame pushed that lead back to 17 with 12 minutes to go, SU was able to get it back down to six. But in the final minutes SU couldn't convert late chances, including a flagrant foul on Notre Dame.
James Southerland's three pointer cut the deficit to just 6 at 62-56 with just under a minute to play, but moments later Southerland, who led SU with 15 points fouled out.
Kris Joseph scored 14 points, Dion Waiters chipped in with 9.
It's SU's first loss since March of 2011 when they lost in the NCAA Tournament.
If the Orange hopes to bounce back, it will have to do so once again without Melo, he will not be with the team when they battle Cincinnati on the road Monday night.
