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SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The SU women's basketball team (1-0) started its season with a 65-61 triumph against Manhattan on Nov. 18. The Orange will attempt start its third consecutive season with two straight victories on Sunday, Nov. 20 when it plays at Buffalo's Alumni Arena at 2:00 p.m. against the University of Buffalo Bulls.
ROOKIES RULE VERSUS MANHATTAN
The Orange started three freshman in its season-opening triumph at Manhattan on Nov. 18, including the backcourt duo of Cintia Johnson and Jenny Eckhart. Classmate Keri Laimbeer also earned a start for SU in the post. Eckhart led all scorers with 20 points, including 15 in the second half, on 7-of-11 shooting from the floor while playing all 40 minutes. The Libertyville, Ill. native buried four three-pointers and calmly stepped to the free-thow line with four seconds on the clock connected on pair of charity shots to clinch the victory. Laimbeer also scored in double figures, notching 15 points, 11 of which came in the first half. She also sank her first career three-pointer in the contest. Johnson finished with a game-high six assists and scored her first collegiate point on a free throw.
Eckhart and Laimbeer joined teammate Sara Antolick as SU rookies that have notched double-digit points in their first-ever college game. Antolick scored 10 points in last year’s season opener against Niagara.
SHUFFLING OFF TO BUFFALO
Today’s encounter with the University of Buffalo Bulls marks the first trip Buffalo area for the Orange this season. SU will become very familiar with the Western New York city in 2005-06. The Orange return to the Buffalo area again on Nov. 22 for a tilt with Niagara and is back in town for the third time for a Dec. 4 encounter with Canisius. This season marks the first time in school history Syracuse will play all three Western New York institutions in the same year.
ORANGE VERSUS THE MAC
Syracuse has played 10 games against schools that are currently members of the Mid-American Conference and is 5-5 in those games. Four of SU’s five losses at the hands of MAC members have come against Buffalo. It’s other loss to a MAC was last season, a 60-49 loss versus Kent State. Oddly, enough the Orange have never played a team currently in the MAC West Division (Ball State, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Western Michigan). Against the East Division, SU holds a 2-0 mark against Akron, a 1-0 record versus Bowling Green, a 1-4 record versus Buffalo, a 0-1 mark against Kent State, a 1-0 record versus Miami (Ohio) and has never competed against the Ohio University Bobcats.
SCOUTING THE BULLS
The University of Buffalo also tipped off its regular on Nov. 18 with a game against nearby Canisius. The Golden Griffins got the better of the Bulls, knocking of Buffalo, 77-61. Stephanie Bennett led the way for Buffalo, scoring 10 points and Heather Turner just missed a double-double with nine points anda game-high 10 rebounds. Brooke Meunier had a solid all-round game tallying nine points, five boards, four assists and two steals. Buffalo hit the offensive glass hard against Canisius, claiming 17 offensive rebounds that led to 22 second-chance points. The Bulls forced 19 turnovers, but committed 21 of their own in the loss.
Linda Hill-MacDonald is in her first year at the helm of the Bulls. She came to Buffalo with plenty of experience, having coached the Temple Owls for 10 seasons (1981-91) and guiding the squad to two WNIT appearances and the NCAA Tournment in 1988-89. She also coached Minnesota for seven years (1990-91) and piloted the Golden Gophers to the NCAA Tournament in 1993-94. MacDonald’s success at the college level resulted in her being named the first head coach of the Cleveland Rockers of the WNBA in 1997. She accumulated a 42-38 in three years with the Rockers.
THE SYRACUSE-BUFFALO SERIES
These two schools, although separated by just a three-hour drive down Interstate 90 have not met in eight years. The Orange lone victory against the Bulls came on Feb. 18, 1978 at Buffalo, 80-46. Following that match-up, the two schools did not face each other again until 1996-97, a span of 19 seasons.
Syracuse vs. Buffalo Facts & Figures
All-Time Series: UB leads, 4-1
First Meeting: Feb. 5, 1972 (Buffalo 52, Syracuse 31
Last Meeting: Dec. 20, 1997 (Buffalo 67, Syracuse 58)
Last 10 Meetings: See Series Record
Current Streak: UB, 2
Coach Cieplicki’s Record vs. Buffalo: First Meeting
