Jojo Doria

Boston, MA

After helping oust a gritty Cincinnati team three nights ago, Jared Sullinger once again sparked the No. 2 Buckeyes by scoring 19 points, including 15 in the decisive second half, as Ohio State toppled the No. 1 Syracuse Orange 77-70 in the East Regional final of the NCAA Tournament at TD Garden.

The win earned Ohio State (31-7) its first trip to the Final Four since 2007, the year the Buckeyes lost in the national championship game to Florida.

Sullinger, the star of the Buckeyes' East Regional semifinal win over Cincinnati, was almost a non-factor in the opening half, as he was limited to four points (2-for-4 shooting) and three rebounds after picking up his second foul six minutes into the game.

The game was tied 29-all at halftime.

Sullinger bounced back from his first-half foul woes by asserting himself in the second half and giving the Buckeyes a steady offensive presence to counter the vaunted Syracuse zone. He kept OSU right in contest each time the Orange rallied.

After trailing 10 points early in the second half, Syracuse drew within one at 55-54, but a Sullinger turnaround jumper kept the Buckeyes ahead.

Syracuse again mounted a late charge with Dion Waiters completing a 3-point play to cut the lead to 70-67 with 33 seconds remaining, but Sullinger drew contact and made one of two free throws to extend the lead back to four.

Sullinger, who also had seven rebounds, was nine for 12 from the foul line for the Buckeyes, who made 13 of 14 free throws in the final 68 seconds and finished 31 of 42 from the line.

Lenzelle Smith Jr. also stepped up for Ohio State in the second half, scoring 16 of his 18 points. Deshaun Thomas had 14 and nine boards, while William Buford netted 13 for the victors.

Brandon Triche scored 15 points to pace the Orange (34-3), who last reached the Final Four in 2003, the year Syracuse dominated Kansas in the title game at the Superdome.

It will mark the 11th Final Four appearance for Ohio State, the second under coach Thad Matta.

 

Jared Sullinger-Powered Ohio State Tops Syracuse, Heads To Final Four