Georgetown coach Terri Williams-Flournoy didn't want to focus on what lies ahead, instead letting her team to enjoy its first Big East tournament victory in a decade.
The 17th-ranked Hoyas edged Syracuse 61-60 on Saturday in the second round.
Next up is top-ranked UConn.
''We're not thinking about Connecticut, we need to cherish this moment,'' said Williams-Flournoy, who had been winless in her previous three conference tournament games.
Sugar Rodgers scored 18 points despite facing constant pressure from the Orange. The Hoyas last Big East tournament victory also came over Syracuse in 2000-01.
She hesitated when asked about facing Connecticut.
''I'm excited, we have them tomorrow,'' Rogers said, with a smile.
The Hoyas lost to UConn 52-42 last Saturday.
Georgetown was befuddled for most of this game by a junk defense that Syracuse employed. The Orange were daring anyone but Rodgers or Monica McNutt to beat them. The ploy worked as Syracuse led for most of the game until Georgetown finally started hitting shots.
''We did an excellent job in the defense,'' Syracuse coach Quentin Hillsman said. ''Their top scorers didn't get a lot of attempts and the defense worked perfectly. Some of their non-scorers finally stepped up at the end.''
With the game tied at 57 with 16 seconds left, Georgetown's Alexa Roche made the first of two free throws. The ball went out of bounds off Syracuse giving the Hoyas another possession. Rodgers was fouled on the inbounds and hit one of two free throws to make it 59-57.
Syracuse (22-9) had a chance, but Erica Morrow turned the ball over with 8.6 seconds left and Rubylee Wright hit two free throws to seal the win.
''We do this in practice every day,'' Wright said of the free throws. ''Either you make the free throw or you run. I just calmed down and focused.''
Elashier Hall hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin. She finished with 16 points to lead the Orange.
Syracuse could have used another victory over a ranked team to strengthen its chances at a NCAA tournament bid. Now they will have to sit and wait for the selections to come out on March 14.
Trailing 27-22 at the half, McNutt and Rodgers scored the first nine points for the Hoyas to cut their deficit to 32-31. Syracuse responded by getting the next 10 points.
Hall hit two 3-pointers during the spurt. Her second one gave the Orange an 11-point lead - their biggest of the game - with just under 14 minutes left.
Syracuse would only hit two baskets the rest of the game until Hall's shot at the buzzer.
Rodgers' two free throws with 3:58 left gave the Hoyas a 54-53 lead - their first since they opened the game by scoring 14 of the first 16 points.
The teams exchanged free throws over the next three minutes. Kayla Alexander was fouled with 17.7 seconds left and Syracuse down 57-56. She hit the first free throw but her second rolled out.
