Kris Joseph scored 13 points Saturday, leading four players in double figures in No. 1 Syracuse’s 78-55 victory over Providence.

Syracuse not only stayed perfect in the Big East at 6-0, but tied the school record for best start, joining the 1999-2000 team at 19-0. The top-ranked Orange was excellent with the ball, handing out 22 assists, led by Scoop Jardine’s nine. And on defense they forced 21 turnovers while holding visiting Friars to 35 percent (20 of 57) shooting from the field.

Providence got to within 17-16 on a pair of free throws from freshman LaDontae Henton at the 5:57 mark of the first half, but went four minutes without scoring as Syracuse took charge. Dion Waiters scored seven points and scoop Jardine added four during a 15-0 Orange run that gave the visitors a 32-16 cushion.

The good fortune for the Orange continued at the start of the second half. While the Friars went the first 3:30 scoreless, Syracuse scored the first nine points of the half to build a 47-23 lead.

For Providence, which fell to 12-7 overall and 1-5 in league play, Kadeem Batts led the way with 13 points.