The Orange will be trying to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2003 WASHINGTON — A little less than three weeks ago, Syracuse came here to Verizon Center and got embarrassed, scoring just 39 points and losing by 22 in its regular-season finale against Georgetown.
Thursday night, the Orange returned for an NCAA tournament East Region semifinal and almost as decisively dismissed top-seeded Indiana, 61-50.
With the victory, fourth-seeded Syracuse (29-9) advanced to the round of eight for a second consecutive season.
NCAA TOURNAMENT: Updated bracket
BOX SCORE: Syracuse 61, Indiana 50
Its opponent this time will be a familiar one — Big East Conference rival and No. 3 seed Marquette, which advanced by defeating second-seeded Miami (Fla.). Syracuse lost its regular season game against Marquette, 74-71, in Milwaukee.
The Orange will be trying to reach the Final Four for the first time since 2003, when it won the national championship.
Indiana (29-7) spent most the game looking confused and discombobulated by Syracuse's active 2-3 zone defense. The Hoosiers had three baskets, 11 turnovers and saw three of its shots blocked during the game's first 13-plus minutes. They fell behind 11-3, 22-9 and 27-11. They made a brief surge early the second half, getting within six points with about 14 minutes left.
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But their misfires and miscues returned, helping Syracuse go on 14-5 run for a 52-37 lead with about seven minutes to play.
Indiana entered the game ranked third in the nation in scoring (79.5 points per game), third in three-point shooting percentage (.408) and sixth in field goal percentage (.486)
MARCH SADNESS: NCAA TOURNEY TEAMS LOSING 
The Miami Hurricanes bench react during the second half of the semifinals of the East regional of the 2013 NCAA Tournament against the Marquette Golden Eagles at the Verizon Center.
Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Arizona Wildcats forward Grant Jerrett (33, left) reacts after the semifinals of the West regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Staples Center. Ohio State defeated Arizona 73-70.]()
Arizona Wildcats forward Grant Jerrett (33, left) reacts after the semifinals of the West regional of the 2013 NCAA tournament against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Staples Center. Ohio State defeated Arizona 73-70.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Creighton Bluejays guard Jahenns Manigat pulls his jersey over his head after loosing to the Duke Blue Devils 66-50.]()
Creighton Bluejays guard Jahenns Manigat pulls his jersey over his head after loosing to the Duke Blue Devils 66-50.
Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Brandon Paul of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after their 63 to 59 loss to the Miami Hurricanes during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at The Frank Erwin Center on March 24, 2013 in Austin, Texas.]()
Brandon Paul of the Illinois Fighting Illini reacts after their 63 to 59 loss to the Miami Hurricanes during the third round of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at The Frank Erwin Center on March 24, 2013 in Austin, Texas.
Ronald Martinez, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![San Diego State Aztecs guard James Rahon walks off the court after the game against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in the third round. Florida Gulf Coast defeated San Diego State 81-71.]()
San Diego State Aztecs guard James Rahon walks off the court after the game against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in the third round. Florida Gulf Coast defeated San Diego State 81-71.
Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Chase Tapley of the San Diego State Aztecs looks on in the second half while taking on the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in the third round. FGCU won 81-71]()
Chase Tapley of the San Diego State Aztecs looks on in the second half while taking on the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles in the third round. FGCU won 81-71
Rob Carr, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Minnesota's Trevor Mbakwe walks off the court after losing to Florida in the third-round of the NCAA college basketball tournament.]()
Minnesota's Trevor Mbakwe walks off the court after losing to Florida in the third-round of the NCAA college basketball tournament.
Eric Gay, AP Related story Fullscreen ![The North Carolina Tar Heels react on the bench as they loose to the Kansas Jayhawks 70-58.]()
The North Carolina Tar Heels react on the bench as they loose to the Kansas Jayhawks 70-58.
Peter G. Aiken, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![North Carolina guard P.J. Hairston walks to the bench after losing to Kansas 70-58.]()
North Carolina guard P.J. Hairston walks to the bench after losing to Kansas 70-58.
Orlin Wagner, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Khalif Wyatt of the Temple Owls is comforted by a teammate after being defeated by the Indiana Hoosiers in the third round.]()
Khalif Wyatt of the Temple Owls is comforted by a teammate after being defeated by the Indiana Hoosiers in the third round.
Joe Robbins, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Will Cummings of the Temple Owls walks off the court with his team after being defeated by the Indiana Hoosiers in the third round.]()
Will Cummings of the Temple Owls walks off the court with his team after being defeated by the Indiana Hoosiers in the third round.
Joe Robbins, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![D.J. Stephens of the Memphis Tigers walk off of the court after they lost 70-48 against the Michigan State Spartans in the third round.]()
D.J. Stephens of the Memphis Tigers walk off of the court after they lost 70-48 against the Michigan State Spartans in the third round.
Gregory Shamus, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Georges Niang of the Iowa State Cyclones walks off the court after being defeated by the Ohio State Buckeyes during the third round.]()
Georges Niang of the Iowa State Cyclones walks off the court after being defeated by the Ohio State Buckeyes during the third round.
Joe Robbins, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![March 23, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; California Golden Bears guard Allen Crabbe (23) reacts after the third round of the NCAA basketball tournament against the Syracuse Orange at HP Pavilion. Syracuse defeated California 66-60. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-128422 ORIG FILE ID: 20130323_kkt_st3_101.jpg]()
March 23, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; California Golden Bears guard Allen Crabbe (23) reacts after the third round of the NCAA basketball tournament against the Syracuse Orange at HP Pavilion. Syracuse defeated California 66-60. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-128422 ORIG FILE ID: 20130323_kkt_st3_101.jpg
Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Mike Hart looks up at the clock late in the second half of the game against the Wichita State Shockers during the third round at EnergySolutions Arena. Witchita State won the game 76-70.]()
Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Mike Hart looks up at the clock late in the second half of the game against the Wichita State Shockers during the third round at EnergySolutions Arena. Witchita State won the game 76-70.
Steve Dykes, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Butler Bulldogs forward Kameron Woods consoles center Andrew Smith after losing in the third round against the Marquette Golden Eagles at Rupp Arena. Marquette defeated Butler 74-72.]()
Butler Bulldogs forward Kameron Woods consoles center Andrew Smith after losing in the third round against the Marquette Golden Eagles at Rupp Arena. Marquette defeated Butler 74-72.
Jamie Rhodes, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Marquette Golden Eagles head coach Buzz Williams consoles Butler Bulldogs forward Roosevelt Jones after Marquette defeated Butler during the third round at Rupp Arena.]()
Marquette Golden Eagles head coach Buzz Williams consoles Butler Bulldogs forward Roosevelt Jones after Marquette defeated Butler during the third round at Rupp Arena.
Mark Zerof, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Saint Louis Billikens head coach Jim Crews consoles guard Kwamain Mitchell during the second half of the third round of the NCAA basketball tournament against the Oregon Ducks at HP Pavilion. Oregon defeated Saint Louis 74-57.]()
Saint Louis Billikens head coach Jim Crews consoles guard Kwamain Mitchell during the second half of the third round of the NCAA basketball tournament against the Oregon Ducks at HP Pavilion. Oregon defeated Saint Louis 74-57.
Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Members of the Harvard Crimson watch from the bench as time winds down in the second half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at EnergySolutions Arena. Arizona won the game 74-51.]()
Members of the Harvard Crimson watch from the bench as time winds down in the second half of the game against the Arizona Wildcats at EnergySolutions Arena. Arizona won the game 74-51.
Steve Dykes, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Colorado State Rams head coach Larry Eustachy reacts in the game against the Louisville Cardinals in the first half during the third round of the NCAA basketball tournament at Rupp Arena.]()
Colorado State Rams head coach Larry Eustachy reacts in the game against the Louisville Cardinals in the first half during the third round of the NCAA basketball tournament at Rupp Arena.
Mark Zerof, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Third round: Virginia Commonwealth guard Briante Weber (2) sits on the bench against Michigan in the second half of their third-round game in Auburn Hills, Mich. Michigan won 78-53.]()
Third round: Virginia Commonwealth guard Briante Weber (2) sits on the bench against Michigan in the second half of their third-round game in Auburn Hills, Mich. Michigan won 78-53.
Paul Sancya, AP Related story Fullscreen ![Second round: No. 2 seed Georgetown was on the receiving end of the tournament biggest early-round upset, falling to No. 15 seed Florida Gulf Coast 78-68 in Philadelphia.]()
Second round: No. 2 seed Georgetown was on the receiving end of the tournament biggest early-round upset, falling to No. 15 seed Florida Gulf Coast 78-68 in Philadelphia.
Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Second round: Western Kentucky players hang their heads on the bench as their bid to upset top-seeded Kansas ends with a 64-57 loss in Kansas City.]()
Second round: Western Kentucky players hang their heads on the bench as their bid to upset top-seeded Kansas ends with a 64-57 loss in Kansas City.
Denny Medley, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![UCLA coach Ben Howland leaves the floor disappointed after his No. 6 seed Bruins lost 83-63 to No. 11 seed Minnesota in Austin.]()
UCLA coach Ben Howland leaves the floor disappointed after his No. 6 seed Bruins lost 83-63 to No. 11 seed Minnesota in Austin.
Jim Cowsert, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Second round: Villanova players watch from the bench as the final moments wind down on their 78-71 loss to North Carolina in Kansas City, Mo.]()
Second round: Villanova players watch from the bench as the final moments wind down on their 78-71 loss to North Carolina in Kansas City, Mo.
Peter G. Aiken, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![James Madison Dukes guard Andre Nation (15) covers his face with his jersey after fouling out against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at University of Dayton Arena. Indiana defeated the Dukes, 83-62.]()
James Madison Dukes guard Andre Nation (15) covers his face with his jersey after fouling out against the Indiana Hoosiers during the second round of the 2013 NCAA tournament at University of Dayton Arena. Indiana defeated the Dukes, 83-62.
Brian Spurlock, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Second round: The Cincinnati Bearcats bench reacts late in the game against the Creighton Bluejays during their second-round game at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.]()
Second round: The Cincinnati Bearcats bench reacts late in the game against the Creighton Bluejays during their second-round game at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Elsa, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen ![Sabatino Chen (center) and Jeremy Adams (right) of the Colorado Buffaloes sit on the bench in the final minutes of their second-round game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at The Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. Illinois defeated Colorado 57-49.]()
Sabatino Chen (center) and Jeremy Adams (right) of the Colorado Buffaloes sit on the bench in the final minutes of their second-round game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at The Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. Illinois defeated Colorado 57-49. Stephen Dunn, Getty Images
