It was just another chapter in the Syracuse/Georgetown basketball rivalry as the Orange ousted the top-seeded Hoyas in overtime, 58-55, on Friday to earn a spot in the Big East tournament final.
Big East basketball tournament 2013 schedule and bracket: Syracuse and Louisville face off in the final
Syracuse and Louisville both survived tough games Friday to advance to the Big East final.
Joe Robbins
In the final conference meeting between the two teams, Syracuse used its trademark zone to frustrate the Hoyas’ outside shot, limiting them to just 4 for 18 from behind the arc. Syracuse focused much of their energy on POY-candidate Otto Porter Jr., limiting the forward to just 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting as they head to their 15th Big East tournament title game.
It wasn't easy for either team, as the Hoyas stingy defense frustrated Syracuse into a poor shooting night. The Orange shot just 36 percent from the floor, with forward C.J. Fair hitting just three of his 16 shots for six points. James Southerland, Brandon Triche and Baye Keita provided just enough offense to squeak by the Hoyas with 13 points a piece.
Syracuse moves on to face the Louisville Cardinals, who defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 69-57, on Friday night. Russ Smith scored 20 points to lead the Cardinals as the Louisville defense limited Notre Dame to just 36 percent shooting and 7-of-21 from the three-point line.
Louisville and Syracuse split their two games this season, although Syracuse’s win came on Jan. 19 while Louisville was enjoying a short stay as the top team in the country. Louisville won the most recent of the two contests, 58-53, on March 2, part of their current nine-game winning streak.
To see the full Big East bracket, visit the tournament website.
More in College Basketball:
See More:
