Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

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UConn upsets Orange

Since the Big East was formed there were always games that stood out on the conference schedule.

One of the best of the rivalries was Syracuse against Connecticut. Two Hall of Fame coaches, dozens of All-Americas, even a six-overtime game that took the rivalry to another level.

It's over for now.

When Connecticut beat No. 6 Syracuse 66-58 on Wednesday night it meant is that there are no scheduled games between the national powers.

Syracuse will play next season in the Atlantic Coast Conference while Connecticut will stay in the realigned Big East although the Huskies could be enticed to head to another conference if asked.

"It's been a great series. Syracuse and Connecticut have played some great games over the years," said Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim. "It's one of those that happens. It's been talked about a million times in a million places. We couldn't stay together. I feel bad about the whole thing."

Freshman Omar Calhoun scored 15 points, including three 3-pointers in the deciding second-half run, to lead Connecticut in the rivalry's finale, for now.

There is no chance they would meet again this postseason as Connecticut has been banned from the Big East and NCAA tournaments as part of a punishment for failing to post a passable APR score.

"We're open to playing anybody but even if we did play it wouldn't be the same because your true rivals come from your conference," Boeheim said.

Their last game was a close one until Calhoun started hitting from beyond the 3-point line.

He started the run with a 3 that gave the Huskies (17-6, 7-4 Big East) the lead for good at 45-42 with 9:49 to play.

Calhoun's others 3s were the last two baskets of a 13-4 run that gave the Huskies a 55-46 lead with 6:14 to play. The Orange (20-4, 8-3), who dropped into a three-way tie for first place in the conference with Georgetown and Marquette, came up empty in four of their six possessions during the run.

Ryan Boatright had 17 points for Connecticut while fellow guard Shabazz Napier had 10 points and seven assists. The two combine for 33.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists per game.

"Our guards. It starts and stops with them," first-year Connecticut coach Kevin Ollie said. "Omar was spectacular shooting the ball. It was our guards who get him open shots."

Indiana 76, Nebraska 47: Cody Zeller scored 16 points and Christian Watford finished with 13 points and 11 rebounds to help the No. 1 Hoosiers pull away from the Cornhuskers.

The Hoosiers (22-3, 10-2 Big Ten) have won seven of eight and regained a share of the league lead. They are tied with Michigan State.

But it sure wasn't easy against Nebraska (12-13, 3-9), which frustrated Indiana by limiting possessions and repeatedly taking the shot clock inside of 10 seconds in the first half. Dylan Talley scored 10 of his 16 points in the first half to lead the Cornhuskers.

Miami 74, Florida State 68: Shane Larkin scored 13 of his 22 points in the final 7a-x minutes to help the third-ranked Hurricanes stave off the Seminoles for their 12th straight victory.

Reggie Johnson added 15 points for Miami (20-3, 11-0 ACC), which became the first team to start the league season 11-0 in a dozen years.

Florida State (13-11, 5-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) tied the game at 51 midway through the second half on Okaro White's tip-in, but never got the lead. Then Larkin took over.

Notre Dame 82, DePaul 78: Jerian Grant scored 21 points, including a big three-point play in overtime, to lift the No. 21 Irish to a win over the Blue Demons in overtime.

It appeared the Irish might cruise to victory until the Blue Demons used an 11-1 run to not only get back in the game but take the lead and the Irish rallied to force the overtime four days after beating Louisville in five overtimes. Pat Connaughton hit a 3-pointer to give the Irish a 74-70 lead. After Brandon Young hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead to one-point, Grant got the rebound of a miss by Atkins and scored, then made the free throw and the Irish made their free throws down the stretch to hang on.

Charlotte 71, Butler 67: Pierria Henry scored 17 points to lead the 49ers over the No. 11 Bulldogs.

Chris Braswell and Willie Clayton each had 11 points for the 49ers (18-6, 6-4), who ended a two-game skid.

Rotnei Clarke scored 18 and Roosevelt Jones had 17 points and nine rebounds to lead the Bulldogs (20-5, 7-3 Atlantic 10), who hadn't lost at home in 12 games.

Memphis 93, UCF 71: Joe Jackson had 21 points and 10 assists, four other Tigers also scored in double figures and 22nd-ranked Memphis beat Central Florida.

Bucknell 69, Colgate 61: Mike Muscala scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and the Bison led wire-to-wire in a win over the Raiders, sweeping the season series.

The double-double was the 18th of the season for Muscala, who has scored in double digits in 29 straight games for the Bison (21-4, 8-1 Patriot League).

Murphy Burnatowski's 23 points led the Raiders (9-17, 3-6).

La Salle 69, St. Bonaventure 66: Ramon Galloway scored 23 points to go with six boards and five assists and the Explorers won their third straight game, beating the Bonnies (11-12, 4-6) in overtime .

Tyrone Garland scored 13 of his 16 points in the first half and Steve Zach grabbed 10 boards.

La Salle (17-6, 7-3 Atlantic 10 Conference) led 16-14 before reeling off 10 straight points and taking a 38-27 advantage into intermission.

Lehigh 60, American 47: Gabe Knutson scored 18 points as the Mountain Hawks held off the Eagles night to win their fifth straight game and hold onto a share of the Patriot League lead.

The Mountain Hawks (18-5, 8-1), who are tied with Bucknell atop the league standings, have won nine of their past 10 games.

St. Joseph's 61, Richmond 55: Carl Jones scored 17 points and Ronald Roberts posted his 11th double-double of the season to help the Hawks (14-9, 5-5) hold off the Spiders in an Atlantic 10 Conference game.

Richmond (14-11, 4-6) led the majority of the first half and took a 36-27 advantage into the break but Saint Joseph's scored the first 15 points of the second half to grab a 42-36 lead.

Army 85, Lafayette 68: Kyle Wilson scored 24 points and Ella Ellis added 20 as the Black Knights (11-13) trounced the Leopards 12-14).