Connecticut has had plenty of experience playing in tough, physical games with Syracuse. In this latest meeting with its former Big East rival, it was the Orange's offense that was too much for the Huskies to handle. Michael Gbinije and Trevor Cooney each had 17 points and Syracuse beat No. 18 Connecticut 79-76 Thursday to advance to the championship game of the Battle 4 Atlantis. Tyler Lydon added 16 points off the bench. Gbinije also had seven assists. The Huskies (4-1) will face Gonzaga in the third-place game Friday. "The second half they really just took it to us offensively," Huskies coach Kevin Ollie said. "We were in a drought in the first half and the second half and really allowed them to take over the game, and in transition they really hurt us with the 3's." The teams traded the lead at the start of the second half, with neither able to get much separation. That changed around the 13-minute mark when the Orange (5-0) tightened their zone on defense and started an 18-8 spurt that gave Syracuse a 65-55 lead with 7:45 remaining. The Orange then fought off several pushes by the Huskies to preserve the win. Daniel Hamilton led UConn with 18 points. Sterling Gibbs and Rodney Purvis each added 12. No. 25 Texas A&M beats No. 10 Gonzaga Danuel House scored 19 points, and No. 25 Texas A&M edged No. 10 Gonzaga 62-61 Thursday to advance to the championship game of the Battle 4 Atlantis. The Zags' Silas Melson missed a fadeaway jumper at the buzzer as time expired with House contesting the shot. Tonny Trocha-Morelos added 14 points for the Aggies (6-0). The game was tight throughout, with 12 ties and seven lead changes. Gonzaga (3-1) led for much of the game but missed some key free throws down the stretch. After making six 3-pointers in the first half, the Zags connected on just three in the second. Kyle Wiltjer led Gonzaga with 18 points. Josh Perkins added 15. Gonzaga plays UConn in the third-place game Friday. In other games it was: Boston College 68, Michigan St. 99; Stanford 45, Villanova 59; Santa Clara 73, Arizona 75 (OT); California 58, SDSU 72; Notre Dame 68, Monmouth 70; Wichita St. 69, USC72; Alabama 45, Xavier 64. — Agencies
