A lawyer for Syracuse University is “optimistic” there will be a resolution in the defamation case against Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jim Boeheim, according to a document recently filed in the case.

In a letter sent to Onondaga County Supreme Court Judge Donald Cerio on Tuesday, Helen Cantwell, a lawyer for SU, wrote that the two parties met on Dec. 19 and are hopeful that a resolution can be reached. The letter also asks that the court extend the period preventing motions and discovery from being filed until Jan. 9, 2015.

This is the third time the period preventing motions and discovery from being filed has been extended. On Nov. 5, the two parties agreed to postpone motions and discovery until Dec. 15. On Nov. 21, the two parties agreed to enter mediation and the period was extended until Jan. 2, 2015.

Former Syracuse ball boys Bobby Davis and Mike Lang sued SU and Boeheim in December 2011 for defamation over his comments that the two were liars who were out to get money. New York State’s high court reversed two previous decisions throwing out the lawsuit on Oct. 21.

The two men allege they were sexually abused by Bernie Fine, a former associate head men’s basketball coach. SU fired Fine on Nov. 27, 2011. He has denied all wrongdoing and was not charged following an almost yearlong federal investigation.

Mariann Wang, an attorney for Davis and Lang, did not respond to a request for comment. Kevin Quinn, SU’s senior vice president for public affairs, also did not respond to an email on Wednesday afternoon.