Top-seeded Syracuse beats Wisconsin 64-63

By Jim O'connell

Associated Press

Published: Thursday, March 22 2012 8:45 p.m. MDT

Wisconsin's Rob Wilson, front, and Syracuse forward C.J. Fair, rear, scrap for a loose ball in the second half of an East Regional semifinal game in the NCAA men's college basketball tournament, Thursday, March 22, 2012, in Boston. Wisconsin forward Ryan Evans (5) watches at left.

Elise Amendola, Associated Press

Enlarge photo»

Summary

C.J. Fair broke out of a scoring slump with 15 points and top-seeded Syracuse held on for a 64-63 victory over fourth-seeded Wisconsin on Thursday night in the East Regional semifinals.

BOSTON — C.J. Fair broke out of a scoring slump with 15 points and top-seeded Syracuse held on for a 64-63 victory over fourth-seeded Wisconsin on Thursday night in the East Regional semifinals.

The Badgers had two shots at the win after Kris Joseph, a 75 percent free throw shooter, missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 18.9 seconds left and the Orange leading by a point. Jordan Taylor came down and missed a 3-pointer with 3 seconds left and Josh Gasser's desperation shot from the corner was off, at the buzzer.

Scoop Jardine added 14 points for the Orange (34-2), who advance to play Ohio State or Cincinnati in the regional final Saturday.

Taylor and Jared Berggren both had 17 points for the Badgers (26-10). Wisconsin, which made 14 3-pointers in the game, missed its last five from beyond the arc after hitting six straight during one stretch of the second half.

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