SYRACUSE, New York (Ticker) -- Jim Boeheim continues to be grateful Hakim Warrick came back to Syracuse for his senior season.

Warrick scored a season-high 29 points and was among three players in double figures, helping No. 8 Syracuse escape with an 80-75 victory over Hofstra.

Playing their final game before the start of Big East Conference play, the Orange (13-1) again found themselves in a tougher than expected battle against a New York State opponent.

Warrick scored 17 points in the first half, while starters Gerry McNamara, Craig Forth and Josh Pace combined for just seven, as Syracuse had to rally from a seven-point deficit to tie the contest, 38-38, at intermission.

"In college basketball, everybody looks at who you play," Boeheim said. "It dosen't matter who you play, it's the kind of team you have. They have a very good basketball team."

Hofstra (9-1) came out strong to start the second half, with Loren Stokes scoring seven early points, to give the Pride a 58-52 lead with 12 minutes left.

Syracuse answered with a 22-7 run, highlighted by three dunks by Warrick and two 3-pointers by McNamara, to take its biggest lead, 74-65, with 5:44 remaining.

The Pride made one more bid to remain undefeated when Mike Radziejewski hit a 3-pointer with 1:48 left to cut the deficit to 74-73. But Warrick scored the final six points for Syracuse.

"We won most of our close games last year," Warrick said. "So it was good to win a close game now. We defended well. But they really hit some tough shots. Hofstra is a really good team, a tournament team."

"We hung in there and made some tremendous decisions down the stretch," Boeheim said. "It was a great game. Both teams played well offensively."

Terrence Roberts scored a career-high 20 points, while McNamara had 12 of his 17 in the second half for Syracuse, which has won 35 straight against New York State schools.

"I knew I had to be more effective tonight," Roberts said. "Especially rebounding the ball and being active around the basket. This game helps us get ready for the Big East. It was a great win for us."

Freshman Antoine Agudio scored 17 points and Carlos Rivera added 16 for Hofstra, which failed in its bid for its first 10-0 start in 44 years.

The Pride made 12-of-24 3-pointers, but gave up a season high in points.