Atlantic City, NJ (Sports Network) - Kris Joseph's 19 points led ninth-ranked Syracuse past Georgia Tech, 80-76 in the championship game of the fourth annual Legends Classic at Boardwalk Hall.
Rick Jackson had a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds for Syracuse (6-0), which got to the title game by a close victory over Michigan, 53-50, on Friday. Scoop Jardine chipped in with 15 points and Dion Waiters added 13 points in the win.
Brian Oliver had a game-best 32 points for the Yellow Jackets (4-2), who came into the game with a three-game win streak, including a 71-61 victory over Texas-El Paso in Friday's semifinal.
"It's not the ending I wanted," Oliver said. "Yeah, I scored a lot, but it's for nothing because we didn't get the win."
Iman Shumpert posted 11 points in defeat.
Syracuse took the lead for good with 15:16 left when Joseph drilled a three- pointer, making the score 51-49. That shot was in a midst of a 13-2 run. The Orange then took 13-point lead with 8:23 left to play on two Brandon Triche's free throws.
They were able to keep the distance the rest of the way, making five free throws in the last 1:04 to seal the victory.
Georgia Tech jumped to a 12-5 lead during the first six minutes, and Oliver recorded 13 of the team's first 19 points.
Syracuse cut the lead to one with 1:05 left in the first half, 36-35, when C.J. Fair hit a layup. Fair then hit three-pointer to give the team a 38-36 lead into the break. The three capped off a 12-3 run during the last 3:38 to play in the half.
Syracuse tied the series up at two apiece...Oliver's 32-point performance was a career-high...Fair posted 10 points for the victors...Syracuse shot 55.6 percent from the field, making 25-45 shots.