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Syracuse Defeats Washington; Connecticut Awaits in Title Game Syracuse Defeats Washington; Connecticut Awaits in Title Game
(35 minutes later)
INDIANAPOLIS — In their first Final Four appearance, Syracuse continued its unexpected run toward the N.C.A.A. women’s basketball championship as they upended Washington, 80-59. INDIANAPOLIS — Dapper in a navy blue vest and pants, with the collar unbuttoned on his blue-striped dress shirt, Syracuse Coach Quentin Hillsman watched his team play swarming defense against Washington, throwing his arms up, hunching low to the ground and looking ready to jump on the floor for every loose ball that his team caused.
Alexis Peterson led the Orange with 18 points. Syracuse built a 19-point lead in the second quarter and led, 43-31, at halftime. Following their coach’s lead, the Orange smothered the Huskies on defense, causing 18 turnovers and continuing their unexpected run through the N.C.A.A. basketball tournament, earning a spot in Tuesday’s final against Connecticut with an 80-59 win Sunday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Standing in Syracuse’s path to their first national title is Connecticut, which defeated Oregon State, 80-51, in Sunday’s earlier semifinal matchup. The Huskies are seeking their fourth straight title and 11th over all. Alexis Peterson had 18 points to lead the Orange, who will be making their first appearance in the Division I title game.
Washington, which like Syracuse had never previously made a Final Four, fell behind early, trailing by 23-12 after one quarter. If not for the marksmanship of Talia Walton, who scored 15 of Washington’s first 18 points, the Huskies’ 43-31 halftime deficit would have been larger.
Walton, who made her first eight 3-point attempts, finished with a game-high 29 points. Kelsey Plum, one of the top scorers in Division I, entered the game averaging 26.2 points but was held to 17, shooting 5 of 18 from the field.
Brittney Sykes added 17 points for Syracuse. Before Peterson sank a 3-pointer to give the Orange a 67-43 lead late in the third quarter, their largest of the game, Hillsman walked down the Syracuse sideline as the ball was in the air, holding up three fingers as it went through the net.
Syracuse also outplayed Washington on the glass, posting a 46-28 advantage in rebounds.
Standing in the Orange’s path to their first national title is Connecticut, which defeated Oregon State, 80-51, in Sunday’s earlier semifinal. The Huskies are seeking their fourth straight title and 11th over all.
Breanna Stewart, the three-time national player of the year, is from North Syracuse and attended Orange games as a child. She also played youth basketball with members of the current Orange roster and said last week that she had thought about attending Syracuse.
During UConn’s semifinal, it was not uncommon to see Orange supporters cheering Stewart. Now, Stewart, a local legend who is looking to make history by winning four national titles, becomes the biggest roadblock in Syracuse’s quest for its first championship.
Connecticut Coach Geno Auriemma said last week that the Huskies had tried to arrange a game against the Orange this season as a homage to Stewart. Instead, they played at Colgate, because, as Auriemma said, his team “didn’t seem to fit into Syracuse’s schedule.”
For Syracuse on Tuesday, UConn will be unavoidable.