Spring Break
The Daily OrangeMBB Marquette | PEAKING: Syracuse plays 'best overall game' to knock off No. 21 Golden Eagles
By Zach Schonbrun
Posted: 3/8/08, 8:01 PM EST Section: Sports
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He had given Syracuse a lift - and a nine-point lead - with his improbable fastbreak dunk. And the sight of his all-out effort was enough to prove the Orange was outright refusing to lose this game.
That, along with the sight of the SU equipment manager mopping up Ongenaet's blood off the floor.
Big East tournament? Bring it on.
Backs against the wall, Syracuse clawed its way to an upset win over No. 21 Marquette on Saturday, 87-72, in front of 23,444 on Senior Day in the Carrier Dome. SU head coach Jim Boeheim called it "the best overall" game of the year for the Orange, which now heads into next week's Big East tournament with a full head of steam.
Following a gritty double-digit win on the road against Seton Hall on Wednesday, Syracuse (19-12, 9-9) proved it has gotten over last Saturday's devastating collapse to Pittsburgh. Now it looks forward to playing its first round game of the conference tournament this Wednesday, either as the No. 8, 9, or 10 seed, depending on how Villanova and Cincinnati finish their games this weekend.
The Orange still needs a good showing at Madison Square Garden if it wants an NCAA Tournament bid. The win over the Golden Eagles was just SU's second of the year against a ranked foe.
On Saturday, though, it was clear Syracuse was only focused on winning this game.
"It was a tremendous effort," Boeheim said. "Marquette's a really good basketball team. … This was our best all-around game in terms of offense and defense."
Syracuse left everything on the Dome floor in the season's final home game, exampled by one of the year's unlikeliest highlights. After a steal early in the second half, Ongenaet dribbled the length of the floor and was fouled hard while completing a two-handed dunk. The foul sent him flying to the floor and bloodied his nose. After a timeout, he completed the three-point play to give SU a 49-40 lead.
"I didn't realize a guy was behind me - I thought I had the lay-up all myself," said Ongenaet, who finished with nine points, five rebounds, three blocks and two steals. "But I finished, got the foul, and finished my free throw. And that's what I was supposed to do."
With a lineup featuring primarily guards - and no starter taller than 6-foot-9 - Marquette had a handful matching up with Syracuse's length, and it showed. It seemed unable to do anything to counter the post-up abilities of SU center Arinze Onuaku and 6-foot-11 forward Donte Greene.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Fred Hawksley
posted 3/08/08 @ 8:55 PM EST
You simply had to be there.
The Coast To Coast play by Kristof is going to be replayed around the world for some time to come.
Also, give these kids a BREAK they are playing with the Flu,with colds etc. (Continued…)
Marc LeVine
posted 3/10/08 @ 10:31 AM EST
Awe inspiring! What a great game. When you take the game apart and realize that Coach B. was able to dissect a 20th ranked team and exploit their chief weakness, you can really appreciate his ability to coach by X's & O's and motivate his teams. (Continued…)
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