SYRACUSE — A Syracuse University academic hearing panel has upheld senior forward James Southerland’s appeal to have his eligibility restored, the school announced before Sunday’s game with St. John’s.

Southerland, who missed the last six games, was immediately eligible to play when the ninth-ranked Orange hosted the Red Storm in a Big East Conference game at the Carrier Dome.

Southerland scored 13 points in 26 minutes off the bench during the Orange’s 77-58 victory over the Red Storm.

Southerland was declared ineligible before the Villanova game on Jan. 12 due to an unspecified academic issue. He continued to practice with the team and has sat on the bench in street clothes during games.

Syracuse went 4-2 without Southerland, who was SU’s second-leading scorer at 13.6 points per game at the time of his suspension. He still led the team with 33 3-point field goals before Sunday.

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