NEW ORLEANS – Texas blazed a historical path this season in earning its first Final Four berth in 56 years. But what will be considered the best season in the history of the program ended a game too soon for the Longhorns.
Texas lost, 95-84, to Syracuse in front of 54,432 at the Superdome on Saturday.
Syracuse’s stellar freshman, Carmelo Anthony, scored a career-high 33 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the Orangemen to the championship game against Kansas on Monday.
Perplexed by Syracuse’s zone defense and plagued by an unusually high number of turnovers, Texas had a enough trouble dealing with its own problems – let alone the ones Anthony, Hakim Warrick (18 points) and Gerry McNamara (19) presented.
So the dream stopped here for Texas, the last No. 1 seed remaining. Syracuse downed Oklahoma in the regional championship, took out Texas and will now try to make a clean Big 12 sweep against the Jayhawks.
Texas guard Brandon Mouton, with 20 first-half points and 25 on the night, did his best to keep the season alive, but with Texas committing 14 turnovers, missing 12 free throws and struggling all night for a comfortable rhythm, Mouton’s efforts weren’t enough.
Texas took its first lead at the top of the second half when Ford, fouled by McNamara, went to the line and made both to make it 49-48.
It was a triumph after one of the most grinding climbs the Longhorns have made all season. Texas trailed by as many nine points in the first half and battled all night with Syracuse’s taxing 2-3 zone.
Even with the slender lead, there was no rest for the weary Longhorns. Because for every step they would make, Syracuse would match or exceed it. Anthony, whistled for three fouls in the first half, was unfazed by that trouble and forged straight ahead on the offensive end.
He scored Syracuse’s first 11 points of the second half. And after the Orangemen made four straight free throws, McNamara rained in a 3-pointer to re-build Syracuse’s lead to 66-61.
Texas was slipping away, and Syracuse could sense it. Even on a basket that didn’t count – a one-handed flush from Warrick over Ivey – sent a resounding message to Texas.
Texas faded, and Syracuse took control.
McNamara took a page from Ford’s playbook and hit a fadeaway jumper on Ford from 15 feet out. Then, he stripped Ford clean, a steal that led to a 3-pointer from Josh Pace. The thundering mark came on an around-the-wheel slam dunk from Anthony to make it 78-66 with 6:54 remaining.
Texas made a hearty effort to close the gap, but it was too much ground to make up and not enough time. Brian Boddicker’s 3-pointer at the 3:47 mark made it 80-75, but Texas couldn’t knock the Orangemen over.
After taking the momentum at the half, it looked like Texas would have a chance.
Royal Ivey ran off the floor gently pumping his fists, though a glance at the scoreboard showed Texas behind, 48-45. He had reason to feel inspired. Texas had trailed by as many as nine points. Ford looked out of sorts, with two fouls and five turnovers in just 14 minutes.
Texas trailed, 21-12, after a basket from McNamara at the 13:10 mark. After consecutive baskets from Mouton and a rare 3-pointer from Ford, Texas cut the lead to 23-20. It didn’t stay that way, though. A minute later, it was back up to eight.
It didn’t appear the Longhorns would ever make a meaningful push until the closing minutes when Texas found a way to get points inside the paint. A baby hook shot from Thomas made it 36-31. Ivey took his man off the dribble into the lane and made a soft serve to Brad Buckman who finished it off. Sydmill Harris made a 3-pointer, but it was clear that Texas wasn’t going to settle for the faraway looks.
Buckman sank a basket from the high post, then popped up for a 15-footer that made it 43-40. Mouton’s layup on a fast break brought the Longhorns to within two, 44-42, when Syracuse called a timeout with 2:07 left in the first half.
Three Texas players collapsed on Billy Edelin when he drove inside, leaving Warrick in the clear streaking to the basket for a two-handed dunk with 15 seconds left to make it 48-43. Ivey’s bucket closed the half with Texas behind, 48-45.
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AP-NY-04-05-03 2342EST
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