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Syracuse Tops UConn in Epic 6 OTs

You read that right, six damn overtimes!

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 13, 2009 6:50 AM CDT

(Newser) – It was a game for the ages, the longest in Big East history and nearly the longest college hoops has ever seen. After six grueling overtimes—you read that right, six overtime—Syracuse emerged victorious over UConn last night, to the final tune of 127-117. “I've got no words,” said Jim Boeheim. “I've never been prouder of any team I've coached.”

The teams that strode off the court weren’t the teams that strode on 3 hours and 46 minutes earlier. Each team had four regulars foul out, so the court was full of rarely-seen practice-squad faces. But the whole epic almost never played out. In the last second of regulation, Eric Devendorf hurled up what appeared to be the game-winning jumper, but replays showed the ball touching his fingertip with the clock at zero.

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (3)]

Connecticut's Hasheem Thabeet reacts after fouling out against Syracuse in the fifth overtime period, March 12, 2009 at Madison Square Garden. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Syracuse's Eric Devendorf is mobbed by teammates as he stands on a table after making a three-point basket at the end of regulation that would have won the game, had the refs not overturned it. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Syracuse's Eric Devendorf, second from left, breaks away from Connecticut's Stanley Robinson, right, and Jeff Adrien after stealing the ball, March 12, 2009, at Madison Square Garden. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Syracuse's Justin Thomas, left, reacts after a Connecticut foul in the sixth period of overtime, March 12, 2009 at Madison Square Garden. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

Syracuse's Eric Devendorf drives to the basket against Connecticut's Kemba Walker, left, and Craig Austrie, March 12, 2009, at Madison Square Garden. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

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I just wanted to get the game over with. I was thinking, `Lord, just get this game over with. Whoever wins the game, let's just get it over with.' - Jonny Flynn, the Syracuse point guard who played 67 minutes - three less than were played total

It would have been a lot better if they just counted Eric's shot and we could have gone home 2 hours ago. - Jim Boeheim, Syracuse head coach

We lost the game because we turned the ball over 27 times and couldn't make a foul shot. - Jim Calhoun, Connecticut head coach

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Syracuse Tops UConn in Epic 6 OTs