The rules dictate that one team has to win.
And somehow, Georgia Tech still had one last chance to do just that, despite shooting just 28 percent on the night and missing every field goal attempt during the last 8:51 of the game.
Instead, Chris Bolden's wide-open three flailed off the rim and Quinton Stephens' put back attempt pinballed off the bottom of the backboard. It was the only appropriate ending to a night of offensive futility, a game that Syracuse ended up winning, 46-45, in Hank McCamish Pavilion.
"We knew it was going to be like that," Trevor Cooney said. "They're a big physical team and we're on the road. We knew it was going to be exactly that and we handled it. We came ready to play and we made the plays at the end to win."
Rakeem Christmas gave Syracuse a lead with 12 seconds left with a pair of free throws. The Orange worked the ball inside to Christmas on its last offensive possession and he drew the foul while backing down a defender. Christmas continued his consistent season with a game-high 18 points, while Michael Gbinije added 14.
For the second straight game, Syracuse could have lost on the final shot, but escaped with a one-possession win. The Orange defeated Virginia Tech, 68-66, in the ACC opener after a missed 3-pointer by the Hokies at the buzzer.
Syracuse is now 11-4, after beating its last two opponents by a total of three points.
It's now the 14th game Christmas has scored in double figures this season and, perhaps, the most important one considering how ineffective both offenses were.
Christmas and the Orange returns to the Carrier Dome on Sunday night when they host Florida State at 8.