Texas A&M
(#21) Syracuse
Texas A&M 66, Syracuse 58
Mar 16, 2006 | Men's Basketball
March 16, 2006
Acie Law scored 23 points, including a dozen in the final 2:25, and helped 12th-seeded Texas A&M upset fifth-seeded Syracuse 66-58 Thursday night in the Atlanta Regional.
It was the third loss in as many games for the powerhouse Big East Conference. Wichita State pounded Seton Hall 86-66 in Greensboro, N.C., and Marquette was knocked off by Alabama, 90-85 in San Diego.
It also ended an improbable run for the Orange and senior Gerry McNamara. The star guard carried Syracuse through the Big East tournament last weekend and helped the team secure an automatic berth in the NCAA field. Before the conference tournament, the Orange seemed destined to be left out of the NCAAs.
But the Aggies (22-8) had better fortune in this one -- thanks to Law.
The left-hander scored 14 points in the final eight minutes, almost single-handily delivering Texas A&M into the second round. He finished 7-of-17 from the field and had seven rebounds and five assists.
In the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1987, the Aggies advanced to face fourth-seeded LSU on Saturday in Jacksonville. The Tigers beat Iona earlier Thursday.
McNamara was held to two points, tying his career low. He was 0-for-6 from the field and missed all five shots from behind the 3-point line. McNamara was scoreless most of the first half, until he sank two free throws with 36 seconds remaining. But he didn't score again.
Terrence Roberts led the Orange (21-12) with 16 points.
