Orangewomen Defeat Providence to Snap Losing Streak

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- The Syracuse women's basketball team broke a four-game losing streak by defeating Providence at Manley Field House Wednesday night. The Orangewomen improved to 9-15 and 4-9 in the BIG EAST. The Friars are now 9-15 and 3-10 in the conference.

Junior Shannon Perry (Providence, R.I./LaSalle) connected on two-of-six free throws to tie the school record for career foul shots made (306). She earned her 12th double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Perry is now two points shy of becoming the 16th player in Orangewomen history to score 1,000 career points. Junior guard Julie McBride (Mechanicville, N.Y./Catholic Central) followed Perry in scoring with 16 points.

The Orangewomen had two other players in double figures. Junior April Jean (Sacreamento, Calif./Coffeyville C.C.) scored 14 points and sophomore Rochelle Coleman (Burtonsville, Md./Paint Branch) added 13 points.

McBride put the Orangewomen on the scoreboard after making one of two free throws, then put SU in the lead, 6-5, with a three-pointer. During the first half, the score was tied seven times. A last second layup by Jean sent the Orangewomen to the lockerroom with the score tied at 32-32.

Seventeen seconds into the second half, Jean scored a field goal to put the Orangewomen on top, 34-32. The score tied four more times in the second half until Perry put the Orangewomen on top, 48-46, at the 10-minute mark. The Friars' Andrea Horvath made three-of-four free throws in the last minute to put Providence within four points, but the Orangewomen pulled away with a 66-58 win.

For Providence, Kristin Quinn led the way with 14 points . Jessica Simmonds and Brooke Freeburg added 11 points each.

The victory was SU's first at home in BIG EAST play. Syracuse is 1-5 at home and 3-4 on the road in conference play.

The Orangewomen are back in action on Wednesday, February 26, when they travel to West Virginia. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.