NEW YORK (March 10)(AP) - Connecticut earned a shot at an unprecedented third straight Big East Conference tournament championship and fourth in five years, pulling away in the final 10 minutes March 10 to defeat Georgetown 70-55.
The No. 21 Huskies, defending national champions but seeded just fourth in this tournament after an in-and-out regular season, became the first team in the 21-year history of the league to reach the championship game after playing on the tournament's opening day.
Connecticut led just 50-48 when Albert Mouring hit consecutive 3-point shots, touching off a 10-0 run that pulled the Huskies out of reach.
Georgetown tried to answer with Lee Scruggs, who had a career-high 27 points, hitting a 3 and Kevin Braswell nailing consecutive baskets.
Mouring and Khalid El-Amin made six straight free throws in the final minutes to seal the victory for Connecticut (24-8). It was Connecticut's ninth straight Big East tournament victory, a record.
Mouring and Kevin Freeman led the Huskies with 16 points apiece and compensated for a sub-par game by Jake Voshkul, who managed just two points in 22 minutes. El-Amin had 11 points and six assists and Ajou Deng scored 10 as Connecticut won its sixth straight game.
Scruggs, who pulled down 10 rebounds, scored 18 points in the first half as Georgetown gave Connecticut all it could handle. The Hoyas (18-14) led by as many as eight points early but a five-point possession by Connecticut gave the Huskies a big boost.
After Doug Wrenn dunked to put Connecticut in front 27-25, Georgetown coach Craig Eserick was charged with a technical. Mouring converted one of two free throws and Connecticut retained possession and got another basket from Freeman for a 30-25 lead.
Georgetown managed to tie it 33-33 but Mouring scored the final basket of the half and the Huskies led 35-33 at intermission.
