SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Tyus Battle scored 34 points, Oshae Brissett added 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Syracuse held off Wake Forest 78-70 on Sunday.
Syracuse (17-8, 6-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) was coming off a 78-73 victory at Louisville on Monday night and needed to protect home court to improve its resume for the postseason.
Wake Forest (9-16, 2-11 ACC) was coming off an 87-81 road loss to No. 25 Miami on Wednesday as a late rally fell short. The Demon Deacons have won only twice since Dec. 18, but one of those victories came against Syracuse.