Monday, March 24
Lexington, KY
6:40 p.m.
Syracuse University
23-10
59
at
64
Kentucky
26-8
1st half1
2nd half2
FinalF
Syracuse
25
34
59
Kentucky
32
32
64
Photo by: Timothy Sofranko
Orange Season Ends in Hard-Fought Loss at Kentucky
3/24/2014 9:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Syracuse falls in NCAA second round, finishes 23-10.
Video: Highlights | SU Press Conference | Coach Q Interview | Sykes Interview
Box Score | Season Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery | Storify
LEXINGTON, Ky.—No. 6 seeded Syracuse's late efforts weren't enough to overcome No. 3 seed Kentucky (26-8) and its historic season came to a close in with 64-59 loss in the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on Monday night at Memorial Coliseum.
The Orange had three players score in double-figures with Brianna Butler leading the team with 15 points. Freshmen Briana Day added 13 points and Alexis Peterson matched her career high with 12 points.
Syracuse concludes the season 23-10 overall, its fifth straight season with 22 or more wins. The program made its second-straight NCAA Tournament (sixth overall) and recorded its first-ever NCAA win by beating 11th-seeded Chattanooga in the first round on Saturday, 59-53.
Kentucky extended its lead to as much as 11 points during the first 4:30 of the second half but a 17-9 run by the Orange, which began with eight-straight points from Briana Day, put Syracuse within two points with 11:53 to play. After the Orange had 3-point attempts which would have given them the lead miss on successive possessions, Kentucky went on a 9-1 run over the next 3:28 to take a 55-45 lead with 7:06 to play.
The Orange came within four points with four minutes left in the game but could not catch the Wildcats and ultimately ended its season with a 64-59 decision.
Syracuse shot 33.3 percent (21-63) overall while the Wildcats shot 36.2 percent (21-58) from the field. The Orange went 5-for-25 from long range and Kentucky hit 4-of-12 3-point attempts. SU relied on its bench for offensive production which accounted for 30 points.
Kentucky was disruptive on defense, with Syracuse committing 23 turnovers including 15 steals by the Wildcats that turned into 21 points.
The Orange was strong in the post, outrebounding UK 41-38 including 18 on offense that helped SU tally 15 second-chance points.
Syracuse got off to a strong start, opening scoring on the first possession of the game while Kentucky turned the ball over in three straight possessions to begin the contest. The game stayed close thanks to Briana Butler's sharp shooting from beyond the arc, going 3-of-5, and Peterson's six-point contribution.
With 12:04 left in the first half, the Orange tied the game at 14-14 during a three minute stretch it held the Wildcats scoreless but UK took over the lead less than one minute later, which it kept for the remainder of the game. Kentucky took its largest lead of 10 points with two minutes remaining in the first half but Brianna Butler sunk one more three-pointer and Peterson stole the ball on the next possession, converting for two points and cutting the Wildcat advantage to five points. UK hit two free throws to finish first half scoring and Syracuse went into halftime with a 32-25 deficit.
Bria Goss led Kentucky with 17 points and six rebounds, including 11-of-12 at the free throw line, while DeNesha Stallworth hit 6-of-10 shots for 13 points.
With three 3-point field goals, Butler ran her school single-season record total to 100, the third highest total ever by an ACC player.
The Orange played without leading scorer Brittney Sykes, who suffered a knee injury in the Orange's opening round win vs. Chattanooga.
Box Score | Season Stats | Quotes | Photo Gallery | Storify
LEXINGTON, Ky.—No. 6 seeded Syracuse's late efforts weren't enough to overcome No. 3 seed Kentucky (26-8) and its historic season came to a close in with 64-59 loss in the second round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament on Monday night at Memorial Coliseum.
The Orange had three players score in double-figures with Brianna Butler leading the team with 15 points. Freshmen Briana Day added 13 points and Alexis Peterson matched her career high with 12 points.
Syracuse concludes the season 23-10 overall, its fifth straight season with 22 or more wins. The program made its second-straight NCAA Tournament (sixth overall) and recorded its first-ever NCAA win by beating 11th-seeded Chattanooga in the first round on Saturday, 59-53.
Kentucky extended its lead to as much as 11 points during the first 4:30 of the second half but a 17-9 run by the Orange, which began with eight-straight points from Briana Day, put Syracuse within two points with 11:53 to play. After the Orange had 3-point attempts which would have given them the lead miss on successive possessions, Kentucky went on a 9-1 run over the next 3:28 to take a 55-45 lead with 7:06 to play.
The Orange came within four points with four minutes left in the game but could not catch the Wildcats and ultimately ended its season with a 64-59 decision.
Syracuse shot 33.3 percent (21-63) overall while the Wildcats shot 36.2 percent (21-58) from the field. The Orange went 5-for-25 from long range and Kentucky hit 4-of-12 3-point attempts. SU relied on its bench for offensive production which accounted for 30 points.
Kentucky was disruptive on defense, with Syracuse committing 23 turnovers including 15 steals by the Wildcats that turned into 21 points.
The Orange was strong in the post, outrebounding UK 41-38 including 18 on offense that helped SU tally 15 second-chance points.
Syracuse got off to a strong start, opening scoring on the first possession of the game while Kentucky turned the ball over in three straight possessions to begin the contest. The game stayed close thanks to Briana Butler's sharp shooting from beyond the arc, going 3-of-5, and Peterson's six-point contribution.
With 12:04 left in the first half, the Orange tied the game at 14-14 during a three minute stretch it held the Wildcats scoreless but UK took over the lead less than one minute later, which it kept for the remainder of the game. Kentucky took its largest lead of 10 points with two minutes remaining in the first half but Brianna Butler sunk one more three-pointer and Peterson stole the ball on the next possession, converting for two points and cutting the Wildcat advantage to five points. UK hit two free throws to finish first half scoring and Syracuse went into halftime with a 32-25 deficit.
Bria Goss led Kentucky with 17 points and six rebounds, including 11-of-12 at the free throw line, while DeNesha Stallworth hit 6-of-10 shots for 13 points.
With three 3-point field goals, Butler ran her school single-season record total to 100, the third highest total ever by an ACC player.
The Orange played without leading scorer Brittney Sykes, who suffered a knee injury in the Orange's opening round win vs. Chattanooga.
Team Stats
SU
UK
FG%
.333
.362
3FG%
.200
.333
FT%
.750
.643
RB
41
38
TO
23
15
STL
4
15
Game Leaders
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
2
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