March Madness has already shown us sizzling offensive performances, impossible shots in the clutch and unbelievable upsets. On Saturday, it showed yet another side: tough, grind it out defense.
March Madness 2013 results: Shockers and Orange take first Final Four spots
The first two spots in the 2013 Final Four went to Syracuse and Wichita State. The Orange got by Marquette and the Shockers survived a furious comeback from Ohio State in the Elite Eight.
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In the afternoon game, the No. 4 Syracuse Orange's 2-3 zone was merciless in a 55-39 beating of the No. 3 Marquette Golden Eagles. The evening game saw the No. 9 Wichita State Shockers disrupt the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes on offense for much of the game, although a frantic Buckeyes comeback that fell short helped close the final score to 70-66.
Syracuse-Marquette
Syracuse went into a halftime with a 24-18 lead and quietly put Marquette away in the second half with more smothering defense and just enough shot-making.
The Orange held the Eagles to 23% shooting and forced 14 turnovers on route to Marquette's season low. Vander Blue managed 14 points for Marquette but hit just 3-15 from the floor while committing four turnovers.
James Southerland led Syracuse's well-rounded offense, scoring 16. C.J. Fair added 13, Michael Carter-Williams had 12 and Brandon Triche chipped in nine. They will face either the winner of tomorrow's Michigan/Florida showdown.
Ohio State-Wichita State
Wichita State led 56-36 halfway through the second half, but Ohio State rallied within three with under three minutes to go. The comeback bid would end there, as the Shockers’ Tekele Cotton hit a clutch three-pointer to push the lead, and the Shockers hit the necessary free throws down the stretch to close the game out.
Ohio State’s scorers did not find a groove until it was too late, shooting 31% for the game. Meanwhile, Wichita State’s incredible run puts them in the Final Four -- the first time a No. 9 seed has reached the Final Four since 1994. They will play against either Louisville or Duke, depending on the outcome of tomorrow’s regional match-up.
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