COL BKB: Syracuse 65, Pittsburgh 61

NEW YORK, March 11 (UPI) -- Josh Wright sank four late free throws Saturday night as Syracuse upset No. 16 Pittsburgh, 65-61, in the Big East title game at New York.

With its victory, Syracuse became the first No. 9 seed to win the title in the tournament's history.

Demetris Nichols had 15 points, six rebounds and two steals; tournament MVP Gerry McNamara had 14 points, five assists and a steal; Terrence Roberts had 13 points and five rebounds and Eric Devendorf added nine points, three rebounds and four assists for the Orange (23-11), who improbably defended their title. Syracuse is the first school since Connecticut (1998-99) to win the Big East crown in back-to-back years.

Carl Krauser had 16 points, four rebounds and four assists; Aaron Gray had 14 points and 11 rebounds; and Antonio Graves added 14 points for the Panthers (24-7), who were playing in the title game for the fifth time in six years.