Notre Dame built a huge early lead and held on to knock No. 1 Syracuse from the ranks of the unbeaten with a stunning 67-58 victory over the visiting Orange on Saturday.

The Fighting Irish (12-8, 4-3 Big East) hit their first three 3-point shots during an 11-2 run to open the game and expanded the cushion to 35-17 with 1:28 in the first half.

The Orange (20-1, 7-1), playing without suspended starting center Fab Melo, rallied late to get as close as six in the closing minutes, but Notre Dame held on for its first home win over a No. 1 team since 1987.

Syracuse, which had been held below 70 points only three times this year and never scored fewer than 62, shot 35.2 percent (19 for 54) from the field and was outrebounded by a 38-25 margin.

The Fighting Irish hit half their shots overall (20 for 40) and from 3-point range (8 for 16).

Jack Cooley paced Notre Dame with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Scott Martin added 13 points, including a key 3-pointer during a 10-1 run in the second half that made it 48-31 with 14:15 to go.

James Southerland scored 15 points to lead Syracuse.