Syracuse, N.Y. ? Jim Boeheim said the crowd won it. Jeremy McNeil’s shooting touch in the final minute didn’t hurt.

McNeil, who rides the bench more than he plays, hit two free throws to tie the game with 46.9 seconds left, then converted his only field-goal attempt with three seconds to go as No. 24 Syracuse (14-3, 5-2 Big East) stunned second-ranked Pittsburgh, 67-65, Saturday night.

McNeil, the backup to Craig Forth at center, had to know it was his night when he converted the free throws — he had been 4-for-14 on the season (28.6 percent).

“I was feeling pressure … oh, yeah,” said McNeil, who began the season with a heavy heart after the death of his mother in October. “I was scared to death. I’m just glad we won. This game was a team effort. My four points at the end wouldn’t have mattered if not for them.”

Maybe he just needed a big crowd, such as the 30,303 who showed up for the game. It was the largest in the nation this season.

After McNeil’s shot, many in the stands began to storm the court in wild celebration. But the referees, after Boeheim pleaded for order, ruled that eight-tenths of a second remained.

That gave the Panthers (15-2, 5-1) one final prayer, and it almost was answered when Brandin Knight hit a 40-foot shot off an inbounds pass from Jaron Brown. After a couple of tense moments with the crowd pouring onto the court again, however, the shot was ruled too late.

“The clock on the replay probably showed I didn’t make it, but I think we should have had more time,” said Knight, who had seven points and seven assists and played all 40 minutes despite spraining his left ankle in practice Wednesday. “But when you’re on the road, that’s the type of thing you deal with.”

No. 1 Arizona 95,

No. 20 California 80

Tucson, Ariz. — Jason Gardner scored 18 points to lead six Arizona players in double figures as the Wildcats rolled. Arizona (16-2, 8-1 Pac-10) rebounded from Thursday night’s home loss to Stanford to take sole possession of first place in the conference. California (14-4, 7-2) lost both games on its Arizona trip to fall into a second-place tie with Stanford.

Pittsburgh's Brandin Knight, left, who played all 40 minutes despite spraining his left ankle Wednesday in practice, fights for a loose ball with Syracuse's Gerry McNamara. The Orangemen won, 67-65, Saturday in Syracuse, N.Y.

No. 4 Florida 77, Arkansas 66

Gainesville, Fla. — Freshman Anthony Roberson scored 16 points to help Florida tie a school record with its 14th straight victory. David Lee and Matt Bonner added 13 each for the Gators (18-2, 7-0 SEC), who matched the program-best win streak they set last year and stayed hot for their big game Tuesday against No. 7 Kentucky. Arkansas (6-11, 1-5) lost for the seventh time in eight games and stayed winless away from home this season.

No. 7 Kentucky 87, South Carolina 69

Columbia, S.C. — Marquis Estill scored 16 of his 18 points in the first half as Kentucky beat South Carolina for its 10th straight victory. The Wildcats (16-3, 6-0 SEC) used a 21-4 run midway through the opening period to break the game open. Kentucky extended its longest winning streak in three seasons. The Gamecocks (7-10, 1-6) have lost 13 of 14 games against UK.

No. 8 Louisville 95,

No. 19 Indiana 76

Louisville, Ky. — Freshman Francisco Garcia scored a career-high 23 points and Reece Gaines added 17 as Louisville earned its 15th consecutive victory. The Cardinals (16-1) are off to the program’s best start since the 1974-75 season. Tom Coverdale scored 14 to lead the Hoosiers (14-6), who have lost three in a row and six of their last seven road games.

No. 11 Notre Dame 93, Georgetown 92, 2OT

South Bend, Ind. — Torrian Jones made a free throw with 5.5 seconds left and Matt Carroll scored four of his career-high 36 points in the second overtime for Notre Dame (18-3, 6-1 Big East). Georgetown (10-7, 2-5) had a last chance to win, but Drew Hall’s three-point attempt from 30 feet bounced hard off the backboard, off the rim and out. The Irish are off to their best league start since going 22-3 to begin the 1978-79 season.

Boston College 95,

No. 14 Connecticut 71

Storrs, Conn. — Troy Bell scored 26 points, and Boston College won at Connecticut for the first time since 1987, handing the Huskies their worst loss ever at Gampel Pavilion. Boston College (10-8, 3-4 Big East) won for the fourth time in five games overall and beat the Huskies (13-4, 4-2) for the second time in 28 meetings. Craig Smith had 20 points for Boston College.

No. 15 Georgia 67,

No. 21 Miss. State 63

Athens, Ga. — After struggling most of the game, Ezra Williams hit three straight three-pointers in the closing minutes to lead Georgia. Steve Thomas and Chris Daniels carried Georgia (13-5, 5-2 Southeastern Conference) until Williams took over at the end. Mario Austin scored 14 points for Mississippi State (13-5, 3-4), which had a three-game winning streak snapped.

No. 16 Creighton 88, Drake 68

Des Moines, Iowa — Larry House scored 23 points, DeAnthony Bowden added 17 and Creighton (19-2, 9-1 Missouri Valley Conference) shot 67 percent in the second half to beat Drake (7-13, 2-7).

No. 18 Marquette 82, Cincinnati 76

Cincinnati — Robert Jackson scored 21 points, leading Marquette’s front-line dominance, and the Golden Eagles (15-3, 7-1 Conference USA) never trailed in a victory over Cincinnati (13-5, 6-2).

No. 23 Alabama 75, LSU 66

Tuscaloosa, Ala. — Maurice Williams scored 19 of his 27 points in the second half as Alabama snapped a three-game losing streak. Kenny Walker added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Crimson Tide (13-5, 3-4 SEC).