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Syracuse Defeats Washington; Connecticut Awaits in Title Game Syracuse Defeats Washington; Connecticut Awaits in Title Game
(about 1 hour later)
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. INDIANAPOLIS — Dapper in a navy blue vest and pants, with the collar unbuttoned on his striped blue 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.
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. 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. women’s basketball tournament, earning a spot in Tuesday’s final against Connecticut with an 80-59 win Sunday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
Alexis Peterson had 18 points to lead the Orange, who will be making their first appearance in the Division I title game. “You can go at it as hard as you want to in practice, but you can’t simulate stuff like that,” Washington Coach Mike Neighbors said. “We don’t have anybody in our league that presses for 40 minutes and puts such stress on you for 40 minutes.”
Alexis Peterson had 18 points to lead the Orange, who will be making their first appearance in the Division I title game. All nine players who entered the game for Syracuse scored.
“One of our keys of victory is: ‘We don’t need any heroes,’ and ‘Be a star in your role,’ ” Hillsman said. “Everybody contribute.”
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.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.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. “Their pressure is very good; they do a very good job of trapping ball screens and rotating on the pass, and they’re very athletic,” Plum said. “So they touch a lot of passes. They did a great job tonight. And I didn’t do a very good job of handling that pressure.”
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, already holding up three fingers as it went through the net.
Syracuse also outplayed Washington on the glass, posting a 46-28 advantage in rebounds.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. As Hillsman exited the floor, he raised his index finger in the air, signaling that the Orange supporters had a last task remaining.
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. “We have one more game,” he said, “and it’s the thing that we’ve all worked for.”
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. Standing in the Orange’s path is mighty Connecticut, which defeated Oregon State, 80-51, in Sunday’s earlier semifinal. The Huskies (37-0) are seeking their fourth straight title and 11th over all.
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.” UConn’s Breanna Stewart, the three-time national player of the year, hails from North Syracuse, N.Y., and attended Orange games as a child. She also played youth basketball with members of the current Orange roster and said earlier last week that she had thought about attending Syracuse.
During UConn’s semifinal, it was not uncommon to see Orange supporters cheering for Stewart. Now, Stewart, 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 tribute 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.For Syracuse on Tuesday, UConn will be unavoidable.