Syracuse Rolls Past Vermont, 94-63

Monday, December 1

Syracuse, N.Y.

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

5-1

Vermont

0-6

VERMONT

Syracuse

12/1/2014 9:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

62nd consecutive non-conference win at home

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The No. 21/22 Syracuse University women's basketball team exploded for a season-best 94 points in a 94-63 victory against Vermont on Monday night in the Carrier Dome. It marked the most points scored by a Syracuse team since a 97-42 win against Maine on Nov. 24, 2013.

"Coming off a trip like one to the Bahamas, the first thing you want to do is just win the basketball game," head coach Quentin Hillsman said. "In the first half, we came out a bit flat early and we got it going for a few minutes and then we got sloppy and didn't really make plays. I give Vermont a lot of credit. They made a lot of threes in that stretch and they have some players who we knew could shoot who made some shots in it."

Syracuse's defense was at its best against Vermont (0-6). The Orange (5-1) recorded 23 steals, its most during the 2014-15 season. The squad capitalized off its defensive prowess, scoring a season-high 40 points off turnovers, as well.

Senior guard Diamond Henderson led the team in scoring for the second time this season with 16 points. Junior guard Cornelia Fondren set career-bests in points (14), rebounds (8), and steals (5) on Monday against Vermont. In total, a season-best six players scored in double figures in the team's 62nd consecutive non-conference home victory.

Sophomore forward Isabella Slim was a force on the glass for the Orange on Monday night. Slim matched her career-best with five rebounds in the first six minutes of play. She finished with a personal-high 10 rebounds on the night, which ranked first on the club.

Syracuse jumped out to an 11-2 lead in the opening three minutes of competition. Junior guards Brianna Butler and Fondren each had three points during that stretch. Vermont battled right back, going on a 12-0 run to take its first edge in the contest, 14-11 with 11:32 remaining in the first half.

Over the remainder of the opening frame, Syracuse outscored its opposition, 31-15, to take a 42-29 lead into the halftime intermission. Senior guard Maggie Morrison scored eight points in the final 8:45 of the half to lead the team in scoring in the first half. Morrison finished with 11 points, setting a career-best.

The Catamounts came out of the break with the momentum, cutting the Syracuse lead to 44-38 with 18:06 remaining. Over the next six minutes, everything went the Orange's way as the team went on a 20-0 run to take a commanding 64-38 advantage. The squad never looked back as it cruised to a 94-63 win.

The Syracuse University women's basketball team is back in action on Thursday night against Penn State in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. Syracuse and Penn State will square off at 7 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.