Syracuse-Georgetown Basketball: Orange Nip Hoyas in OT Thriller

Credit the Big East schedule makers for their sense of humor.

How else do you explain pitting longtime rivals Syracuse and Georgetown—two schools with no love lost between them—against each other in a crucial conference game for both teams on Valentine’s Day?

Syracuse point guard Jonny Flynn played the role of Cupid as his two free throws with 6.8 seconds left in overtime proved to be the arrow through the Hoyas’ heart and led the Orange to a 98-94 victory in front of more than 31,000 fans.

To say that both Syracuse (19-7, 7-6 Big East) and Georgetown (13-10, 4-8 Big East) needed this win is like saying the Big East is a decent league this season.

The Orange entered the contest having lost six of their last eight games, including an 88-74 drubbing at Georgetown back in January. The Hoyas hadn’t fared much better, as they dropped six of their last seven contests, despite being the only team in the nation to beat No. 1 UConn, a game that was in Connecticut.

The first half proved to be a back-and-forth affair that featured eight lead changes and five ties.

The Hoyas jumped out to an early 8-2 lead thanks in part to a couple of three pointers.

But shortly after that, Andy Rautins (13 points) found the range for Syracuse. The sharp-shooting junior, who missed most of the first game between these teams after bruising his knee, connected on three 3-pointers to bring the Orange closer.

Georgetown led 21-19 with 7:54 left in the half. That was when the game turned.

Syracuse senior Kristof Ongenaet was ejected for a flagrant foul when he elbowed DaJuan Summers (17 points, eight rebounds) in the back of the head while attempting to gain rebounding position.

When Georgetown had completed a 9-0 run, they led the game, 26-19.

The Hoyas had used the same recipe as in their prior victory over Syracuse to establish a lead. They controlled the offensive glass, spaced themselves well on offense, made some three-pointers, and employed freshman center Greg Monroe (16 points, 11 rebounds) to the middle of the Syracuse’s 2-3 zone to distribute to his teammates.

But the ejection of Ongenaet seemed to light a fire under the rest of the Syracuse players—particularly Flynn.

Flynn, who scored 25 points and had a career high 13 assists, ignited two fast breaks. The first, he finished and made the free throw for a three-point play, while on the second, he set up Rick Jackson (13 points, four rebounds) for a two-handed dunk to tie the game at 31.

At this point, with Monroe occupying a seat on the bench with two fouls, the Hoyas’ offense stalled, and Syracuse took advantage. The Orange used a 9-1 spurt to take a 33-32 lead into the locker room.

Syracuse started the second half right where they left off in the first, extending their run to 24-5—a one-point lead had ballooned to 12 points, 48-36.

The Orange were in control and their fans—clad in orange shirts as it was “Orange Out” day at the Carrier Dome—were as loud and as boisterous as they had been all game. Clearly, the Syracuse faithful were relishing the fact that their team had turned the tables on their rivals from the January encounter.

One of the main factors in Syracuse’s dominance was center Arinze Onuaku. The junior has been struggling with tendonitis in his knee and that has limited his mobility on offense and defense.

Onuaku had scored only 12 points in his last four games combined. Without his post presence, offensively and defensively, and his rebounding ability, Syracuse is not the same team.

But Onuaku had regained some, if not most, of his mobility. The big man dominated the paint on both ends of the floor as he finished with 15 points and 13 rebounds, seven on the offensive glass.

After Georgetown cut the lead to 57-48, Syracuse used a 9-2 run, capped by a three from Eric Devendorf, to take a 66-50 advantage, their largest lead of the game.

Georgetown slowly began to whittle away the deficit with an assortment of three-point shots (they sank seven in the second half) and drives to the basket.

A layup by Jackson with just under 60 seconds to play left Syracuse with a 78-71 lead, but the Hoyas closed with a remarkable 12-5 run, capped by a 25-foot three from sophomore point guard Chris Wright (25 points and six assists) that forced the extra session.

As overtime began, the Hoyas had all the momentum. Syracuse had to be wondering how they lost a 16-point lead, and, more importantly, would a potential loss damage their NCAA tournament hopes. The Orange has missed out on the big dance the past two seasons.

Devendorf (23 points and 5-for-9 on threes) opened the scoring with a three but with 2:11 left, Georgetown was ahead, 89-88.

The Orange immediately regained the lead, 91-89, on another triple by Devendorf, a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.

But the Hoyas didn’t give up either.

With 49.8 second remaining, Wright picked up his fifth foul, which sent Flynn to the line for two, where he calmly stroked both free throws.

Paul Harris (nine points, five rebounds) added another make and with Syracuse clinging to a two-point lead, Flynn nailed the two critical free throws which gave Syracuse a four-point lead and assured them of the victory.