Orangewomen Lose Thriller to 24th-Ranked Colonials
12/7/2002 4:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse University women's basketball team lost a 67-66 decision to #24/21 George Washington on Saturday afternoon at Manley Field House. The Colonials improved to 3-1 while the Orangewomen are now 2-5 on the season.
Junior guard Julie McBride (Mechanicville, NY/ Catholic Central) led all scorers with a season-high 23 points. Junior forward Shannon Perry (Providence, RI/ LaSalle HS) had 18 points and 16 rebounds, notching her sixth double-double in seven games this season.
The Orangewomen came out strong in the first half, building a 14-5 lead 10 minutes into the contest. George Washington used a 15-2 run, keyed by Lindsey Davidson's three-point shooting, to give the Colonials a 20-16 lead with 5:25 to play. The teams traded baskets the rest of the way with George Washington taking a 28-24 lead into the half.
The second half went back and forth with neither team taking control of the game until the Colonials went on an 8-2 spurt to take a 62-55 lead with 3:53 to play. Free throw shooting and tough defense helped SU take a 66-64 lead with 1:08 remaining. Davidson's sixth three pointer of the game with 52 seconds to go proved to be the game-winning basket. Syracuse made a season-best 23 free throws but it was not enough to overcome the 10 three-pointers sunk by George Washington. Sophomore guard Rochelle Coleman (Burtonsville, Md/ Paint Branch HS) added 11 points and junior forward April Jean (Sacramento, Calif/ Coffeyville C.C.) contributed eight points and eight rebounds.
Davidson led George Washington with 20 points. Cathy Joens poured in 18 points with four of her field goals coming from behind the arc.
Syracuse will take 10 days off from competition during the University's exam period. SU's next game is December 18 at Vermont.
