NEW YORK - The king - the Big East tournament king, that is - is dead.

Syracuse may have been just a No. 5 seed in the Big East tournament, but Jim Boeheim's crew, led by a senior-dominated front line, entered Big East post-season action having won the tournament in each of the past two seasons.

They've got an early flight back to Syracuse this time.

Led by 13 three-pointers and Syracuse's anemic 16-of-29 free-throwing shooting, Notre Dame won just its fourth Big East tournament game ever by claming an 89-83 verdict over the Orange.

"It took a 57-point (second) half for us to escape with a win," said Irish head coach Mike Brey, who improved his Big East tournament record to 3-6. "We needed every point."

Three Irish players scored 20 or more points-Russell Carter (24), Colin Falls (23) and Luke Harangody (20)-and point guard Tory Jackson directed the show with eight points and nine assists to go along with four steals.

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