Scoop Jardine scored 20 points and No. 20 Syracuse made four straight free throws in the final 15 seconds to hold off No. 14 Villanova, 69-64 Monday.

Jardine, a Philadelphia native, made multiple big plays down the stretch to help Syracuse (23-6, 10-6 Big East) answer a Villanova rally.

Dion Waiters hit two free throws with 14.1 seconds left to put Syracuse up 67-64. Villanova (21-7, 9-6 Big East) turned it over on its ensuing possession before getting off a potential tying 3-pointer, and Syracuse big man Rick Jackson, a 50-percent free-throw shooter, hit two from the line to clinch a huge Big East win for the Orange.

Corey Stokes returned from a three-game injury absence and kept the fading Wildcats in the game with 24 points, including all five of the team’s 3-pointers.

Syracuse led 29-27 at the half and extended its lead to nine with 10 minutes to play. But Stokes hit big shot after big shot and brought the Wildcats within one at 57-56, with five minutes to play.

But Jardine hit a jumper, a free throw and a 3-pointer to keep the Orange in front. Jardine finished with six assists and four rebounds to go along with his 20 points.

Syracuse heads to No. 11 Georgetown on Saturday and still has work to do to secure a top-four seed and accompanying double-bye in the Big East Tournament.

The Wildcats are heading into a difficult finish to conference play, starting with Saturday’s home game against No. 25 St. John’s and ending with road trips to No. 9 Notre Dame and No. 6 Pittsburgh.