WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Back in 1980, John Thompson Jr. coached Georgetown to the first regular season title in Big East history.

Now 34 years later, John Thompson III directed the Hoyas to a title in the conference's final year by thumping Syracuse, the program's fiercest and now departing rival.

The ending of the conference is not what either Thompson desired. The same goes for Jim Boeheim, the coach who led Syracuse during the school's entire Big East existence.

No. 5 Georgetown's 61-39 victory on Saturday, the actual capper to the series as conference opponents and this regular season, is a triumphant conclusion approved by both Thompsons, father and soon.

"Right now, this one feels nicer than any of the rest of them," said the current Hoyas coach after claiming his third title in nine seasons at Georgetown and sixth as a head coach.

"It's special because the Big East as we have known it is ending. Georgetown won the first one, now Georgetown won the last. That means a lot."

Then a booming voice spoke up from the back of the postgame press conference.

"Kiss Syracuse goodbye," bellowed John Thompson Jr., the man who steered the program into national prominence with three Final Four appearances and the 1984 National Championship.

Boeheim surely wishes memories of this game, one with Syracuse scoring its fewest points since 1962, could disappear from his memory bank quickly.

More favorable of the memorable rivalry, those can stay.

"I don't think of one game, if you think of one game, that's not it," Boeheim said following the loss. "It's been thirty plus year rivalry and it's been good.

" ... It's been a great rivalry it's been pretty competitive, this was probably one of the least competitive games. We've had a few like this, but not too many."

Syracuse holds the all-time series lead, 48-41.

With the Orange headed to the Atlantic Coast Conference next season, the 68-year-old Boeheim sounded like a coach perhaps not planning for many more games of any kind.

"Well, you know, I'm pretty much ready to go play golf somewhere," Boeheim said while reflecting on the end of the Big East. "If was 40 years old, I'd be real upset. I'm not 40 years old. That should be obvious, though."

Markel Starks scored 19 points and D'Vauntes Smith had 15 for the Hoyas (24-5, 14-4 in the Big East), who took control of the highly anticipated and emotional clash with a 20-6 second half run.

Otto Porter, who had 33 points in last month's 57-46 victory at Syracuse, scored 10 points and matched his career-high with seven assists for the Hoyas.

Georgetown held Syracuse to season-lows in total points, first half scoring and field goal percentage.

The Hoyas capped the regular season by winning 12 of the last 13 games. The Georgetown students capped the game by storming the court.

Michael Carter-Williams scored 17 points for the Orange (23-8, 11-7), who shot 31.9 percent from the field and 1-of-11 from beyond the 3-point line.

Syracuse has lost four of its last five games.

The Hoyas will be the No. 1 seed in next week's conference tournament.

"We came into the season with a goal, and obviously a portion of the goal has been accomplished," Starks said. "But at the same time, we still have a lot more of the season to play. But this means a lot."

Part of a basketball seven-school alliance with other current Big East schools, Georgetown will split off from the conference's football schools while keeping the Big East name.

The Hoyas led, 25-18, at halftime despite only two points from Porter, as Starks and Smith-Rivera combined for 19.