Syracuse 80 - Washington 59: Orange Will Play UConn For The National Title

Much was made of the Syracuse Orange's reasons for not playing the might Connecticut Huskies this season. Regardless of what went down with that, they've got no choice now. They're the only team left standing between them and the National Championship after defeating the Washington Huskies, 80-59, in the National Semifinals.

Talia Walton did everything she could for the Huskies, scoring 29 points, but the Orange controlled most of the game and never relented. After a 23-12 first quarter, Quentin Hillsman's squad not only maintained their lead throughout the half but stomped on some throats in the second half to make it a mere formality by the time the fourth quarter appeared.

Alexis Peterson led the way with 18 points while Brittney Sykes added 17 as well. The duo that has powered SU's scoring for much of the tournament continued to do so. Brianna Butler added 12 points of her own on 4-of-13 three-point shooting. Cornelia Fondren added ten points off the bench while Briana Day went off for fifteen rebounds.

The Orange just continue to reach new heights in their best-ever season. While there's only one more game, what a game it is. The UConn Huskies were every bit the monster we know they are, defeating Oregon State 80-51. They will be heavy favorites to win their fourth-consecutive National Title and only the people on the Syracuse sidelines will be expecting an Orange victory.

It's probably exactly how it's s'posed to be. This Syracuse team that keeps bucking the odds gets to face the biggest ones of all for the biggest prize of all. See you Tuesday.