Syracuse, NY (Sports Network) - Scottie Reynolds drained a game-high 25 points, leading his 25th-ranked Villanova Wildcats over Big East rival Syracuse Orange, 81-71, in conference action at the Carrier Dome.

Corey Fisher contributed 15 points for 'Nova (13-3, 3-2 Big East), which has won three of its last four outings. Despite battling the flu, Dante Cunningham provided 14 points while hauling in eight rebounds, as VU snapped a two-game road skid. The 'Cats have won four of their last five meetings with the Orange.

Jonny Flynn poured in 23 points for Syracuse (13-6, 3-3), but it was not enough to avoid dropping its third of the last four contests. Scoop Jardine notched 15 points, and Donte Greene added 12 points before fouling out with 5:25 remaining in the matchup. SU was facing its first ranked foe of the season, and slipped to 11-3 as the host. Arinze Onuaku reeled in 10 boards to go with 10 points in the losing effort.

Clinging to a three-point lead, Villanova took advantage of three of Syracuse's top four scorers' foul trouble, ripping off an 8-0 barrage that put the game out of reach. Fisher highlighted the burst with five points, and his pair of free-throws with 3:04 to go in the game sent the 'Cats to an insurmountable 74-63 advantage.

The Orange took their first lead of the game after going on a 9-0 run in the opening half. Jardine dropped in a layup to finish the flurry with 13:14 left, giving SU the 12-10 edge.

The squads then traded blows until Syracuse pulled away with a 9-2 burst. Jardine netted the first six points of the streak, and Flynn converted an old- fashioned three-point play to cap the run. The Orange took a 32-24 lead with 3:02 remaining in the half.

Following a 6-1 'Nova spurt that brought the Wildcats within three points, Flynn hit a layup that extended the SU advantage to 35-30 heading into the locker rooms.

Out of the break, the 'Cats used a 12-5 streak to push ahead. Reynolds stroked a three-pointer to put Villanova on top for the first time since the 9:40 mark of the first half. With 15:33 to play, VU held a slim 44-42 lead.

The teams stayed within three points of each other before a 7-0 'Nova flurry. Antonio Pena was fouled while nailing a layup, and proceeded to connect from the charity stripe, as the Wildcats were out in front, 53-49, with 12:01 to go in the game.