Syracuse wins in overtime again

NEW YORK, March 14 (UPI) -- Jonny Flynn's quick start in Syracuse's seventh overtime period in two games Friday boosted the Orange to a 74-69, Big East semifinal win over West Virginia.

Syracuse's amazing saga in the Big East Tournament continued 24 hours after the Orange went six overtimes before eliminating Connecticut. That game ended at 1:20 a.m. and the Orange wound up having to go another extra period to dispose of the Mountaineers, who stayed alive when Devin Ebanks made two free throws with 5 seconds left in regulation.

Flynn then hit a layup and two free throws to help the Orange build a six-point lead in overtime.

Syracuse will take on top-seeded and fifth-ranked Louisville in Saturday's championship game.

Earl Clark scored 17 points and Louisville (27-5) overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat Villanova 69-55.

Jerry Smith added 16 points for Louisville and Terrence Williams contributed 11 rebounds.

Villanova (26-7), which was coming off a last-second 76-75 triumph over Marquette Thursday, got 14 points each from Dante Cunningham and Corey Fisher.

The Wildcats took a 34-26 lead at halftime, but Louisville put together a 17-2 run to open the second period. The surge was ignited by 3-pointers from Clark, Andre McGee and Smith.

Louisville made 13-of-28 shots from 3-point range and held the Wildcats to a 34 percent shooting effort from the floor.