SU gives Georgetown a scare

WASHINGTON -- Even when Georgetown is a huge favorite, the Hoyas always have their hands full with Syracuse.

It was no different Monday night, when No. 9 Georgetown had to rally from a seven-point deficit over the final five minutes of regulation then outscored the Orange 4-2 in a ragged overtime to escape with a 64-62 victory.

Roy Hibbert scored 15 points for Georgetown, including the only field goal of overtime. The 7-foot-2 center, who has made the first two 3-pointers of his college career in recent games, was left open for a 13-footer that gave the Hoyas a 64-60 lead with a minute remaining.

Donte Greene then made two of 3 free throws -- he was fouled attempting a 3-pointer -- to cut the Orange's deficit to two with 44 seconds left. But Syracuse's Jonny Flynn, who scored 24 points, missed a long, contested 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Georgetown (15-2, 5-1 Big East) improved to 10-0 at home and avoided the upset that happened last season under almost identical circumstances. Syracuse upset then-No. 9 Georgetown 72-58 on a Monday night last season to stop the Hoyas' 11-game winning streak. The Orange had won seven of the last eight in the series.

Syracuse (13-7, 3-4), which is down to nine scholarship players including five freshmen, has lost four of five overall. Orange coach Jim Boeheim remains one victory shy of tying Henry Iba for 10th all-time in Division I with 764.