1. Women’s basketball loses chance at first conference title since 1985

It took 41 days for Syracuse to finally lose another game. A 68-57 loss to Notre Dame in the championship game of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament snapped an 11-game win streak Sunday, and left SU without a second conference title in program history.

The Orange predicated its wins over N.C. State and Louisville on forcing turnovers and press defense, two traits the team has exhibited the entire season. But against the Fighting Irish, Syracuse tied a season-worst mark of three steals. Notre Dame only turned the ball over 14 times, the second fewest times an opponent has done that against SU this season.

But conference tournament wins against N.C. State, which Syracuse poured in 12 3s, and Louisville, which Alexis Peterson and Cornelia Fondren led the Orange to, likely slots the team as top-16 seed in the NCAA tournament. This would allow SU to host a first- and potentially second-round game in the Carrier Dome. Postseason seedings are announced on Monday, March 14.

MORE: Gallery from SU’s semifinal win over Lousiville

Liam Sheehan | Asst. Photo Editor

2. Men’s basketball teetering on NCAA Tournament bubble after pair of conference losses

Syracuse began its week with a close battle against then-No. 8 North Carolina on Monday, but couldn’t ever grab ahold of the lead despite cutting the deficit to one with about a minute to go. Tyler Roberson reemerged as a presence on the boards after head coach Jim Boeheim publicly soured on the junior forward.

But rebounding handicapped the Orange in its 78-73 loss to Florida State on Saturday, as the Seminoles finished +17 in the margin off the glass. Syracuse slipped further away from the cut of the 68-team field for the NCAA Tournament, Daily Orange beat writer Matt Schneidman writes. Trevor Cooney’s late-season shooting woes continued, and the loss solidified SU’s place as a nine seed in the ACC tournament that will face off against eight-seed Pittsburgh later this week.

MORE: What we learned in Syracuse’s loss to Florida State

3. Ice hockey wins longest game in postseason history; loses conference championship

It took just over 116 minutes for Stephanie Grossi to find the back of the net. Players couldn’t recall a longer game they ever played in, and Grossi’s goal finally ended SU’s matchup with Penn State in the midst of a third overtime period. It set the stage for a College Hockey America championship game between the Orange and arch-rival Mercyhurst on Saturday.

Grossi pushed Syracuse ahead late in the second period of the championship game, but the Lakers responded quickly with two goals in a 29-second span to cement a 3-2 win.

MORE: Underclassmen carry Syracuse in season-ending loss

Quick hits

1. Men’s lacrosse continued its perfect start to the season with a narrow road victory against Virginia.

2. The Orange is relying on a certain snack to propel the program to unprecedented heights.

3. Kayla Treanor almost scored half of SU’s goals in a win over the Cavaliers.

Published on March 6, 2016 at 6:00 pm

Contact Connor: cgrossma@syr.edu | @connorgrossman