SYRACUSE 71, UCONN 69: Fab Melo scored 11 points, including the go-ahead putback slam with 30 seconds left, and C.J. Fair came up with huge block in the final seconds as No. 2 Syracuse earned its first win at Gampel Pavilion.

Kris Joseph scored a game-high 21 points for Syracuse (29-1, 16-1 Big East), which set school records for regular season wins and conference wins. It was the Orange’s first victory in five tries at Gampel Pavilion.

The desperate Huskies didn't go down without a fight. UConn trailed 43-29 at intermission and by 17 points early in the second half before storming back to tie the game at 69 when Andre Drummond tipped in a miss from Ryan Boatright with 50 seconds left.

But Melo slammed home a miss on the other end and, after a timeout, Syracuse' defense denied UConn an open 3-pointer and Roscoe Smith’s shot from the low block was swatted away by Fair.

Jeremy Lamb scored 19 points and Drummond finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds for UConn (17-11, 7-9).

The defending national champions were seeking another signature win to boost their at-large NCAA Tournament hopes, but fell to 3-4 without Hall of Fame coach Jim Calhoun, who is scheduled to undergo back surgery on Monday.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Syracuse didn’t commit a turnover until there were four minutes left in the first half. … Calhoun's surgery is to alleviate pain stemming from spinal stenosis. If all goes well, he may return for next Saturday’s regular-season finale against Pittsburgh. … Memphis Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay was inducted to the Huskies of Honor at halftime.