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ORANGE HOSTS QUINNIPIAC IN FINAL GAME BEFORE HOLIDAYS
The Orange looks to make it two victories in a row before taking a break for the holidays when it hosts Quinnipiac on Dec. 22. Syracuse rebounded from its loss to Binghamton with a 70-52 defeat of Albany on Dec. 20. Following SU’s clash with the Bobcats, the Orange have one non-conference game remaining (Dec. 29 at Cornell) before jumping into BIG EAST play on Jan. 3 versus Louisville. A victory against Quinnipiac would mark SU’s fourth triumph in the month of December. The Orange have won four December games in three of the last four seasons.
SIPAVICIUTE CONTINUES CLIMB UP NATIONAL SCORING CHART
Sophomore Vaida Sipaviciute moved up one spot on the national scoring ledger this week. The center was ranked third in scoring average at 22.0 points per game in the most recent NCAA statistical release, issued on Dec. 19. Sipaviciute had been ranked fourth nationally in the statistic in the previous NCAA statistical release on Dec. 12. She is currently averaging 22.9 points per outing after a 31-point performance at Albany on Dec. 20. Sipaviciute also ranks in the top 10 in the nation in blocked shots. As of Dec. 19 she was eighth in Division I women’s basketball at 3.2 rejections per game. USF’s Jessica Dickson is the nation’s leading scorer at 24.7 points per game. Jillian Robbins of Tulsa leads the country in blocks at 4.0 per game.
ORANGE MATCHES 2004-05 ROAD VICTORY TOTAL
Syracuse improved its 2005-06 road record to 4-2 with its triumph at Albany on Dec. 20. With the victory, the Orange has already equaled its 2004-05 season away game win total. SU finished with a 4-8 overall road record last season. This year, Syracuse has knocked off Manhattan (Nov. 18), Buffalo (Nov. 20), Canisius (Dec. 4) and Albany (Dec. 20) away from the Salt City. The Orange is averaging 65.0 points per game on the road and is shooting 40 percent (150-371) away from home. SU’s defense has been stellar on the road, surrending 62.2 points per outing compared to 72.5 in home contests. At Albany, Syracuse allowed a season-low 52 points.
SU’S SECOND HALF EXPLOSION SINKS ALBANY
The Orange used a decisive 22-2 run, and outscored the Great Danes 41-24 after halftime to roll to a 70-52 triumph versus Albany on Dec. 20. With SU leading 41-40 and 12:23 left on the clock, the Orange used its scoring explosion to take a 63-42 advantage with 5:15 remaining in the contest. Vaida Sipaviciute scored 13 of her game-high 31 points in the run and finished with 23 second-half points, the most by an SU player in one half of play this season. Ashley McMillen ignited the spurt with a 3-pointer and had six points in the game-clinching drive. Brittany Smith notched the other three points with an old-fashioned 3-point play. The SU defense held the Great Danes to 26.3 percent shooting (10-38) in the final period and forced nine second-half turnovers. The Orange shot a blistering 57.7 percent (15-26) from the floor after halftime. All 14 of SU’s free-throw attempts came in the second period and the Orange finished 10-for-14 (.714) from the charity stripe for the game.
McMILLEN EARNS FIRST CAREER START
Junior transfer Ashley McMillen made her first start in an Orange uniform on Dec. 20 at Albany. The Penfield, N.Y. native played a career-high 39 minutes and was 4-for-9 from 3-point range and finished with 12 points. She also grabbed five rebounds. McMillen sparked SU’s game-clinching 22-2 run in the second half with a 3-pointer to put the Orange up four, 44-40, with 12:03 to play. She also knocked down another triple during that crucial scoring stretch. McMillen has appeared in 9-of-10 games for the Orange and is averaging 5.3 points per game. She has reached double digits in points in two of SU’s last three outings.
LAIMBEER MAKES RETURN TO STARTING LINEUP
After coming off the bench in SU’s previous five games, freshman Keri Laimbeer returned to the starting lineup on Dec. 20 at Albany, playing power forward. Laimbeer played 16 minutes against the Great Danes and tallied three rebounds, three assists, one block and a steal. Laimbeer started SU’s first four games this season. She tallied a career-best 15 points in SU’s season-opening win at Manhattan on Nov. 18. For the season, she is averaging 3.1 points and 2.5 boards per outing.
SMITH HAS COMING OUT PARTY
Freshman Brittany Smith had the most productive game of her young career on Dec. 20 at Albany. Smith gave the Orange a lift off the bench scoring a personal-best 10 points and securing a career-high nine rebounds. Smith was 4-for-6 from the field in the game and hit 2-of-3 free throws. She also recorded two steals and one blocked shot in 26 minutes of playing time. Smith missed SU’s five games with a foot injury suffered in the preseason. The Milwaukee, Wisc. native has appeared in SU’s last four games and is averaging 5.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per outing.
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
After losing its first two games of 2005-06, Quinnipiac has responded by winning three of its last four, including a 66-58 win versus Manhattan in its most recent outing on Dec. 18. Like the Orange, Quinnipiac has already dabbled in conference play. The Bobcats are 1-0 in league action, posting a 75-68 victory against Long Island on Dec. 7. Quinnipiac has struggled on defense this season. It is allowing 76.2 points per game and has surrendered 80 or more points three times this year. Opponents have been shooting it well against the Bobcats, connecting on 47.9 percent of their shots from the field (173-361). The Bobcats have had a difficult time holding onto the ball on the offensive end of the floor. They are averaging 20.2 turnovers per outing. Monique Lee is the Bobcats’ go-to player. She is averaging 17.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game, both club bests. Erin Kerner ranks second on the team in scoring at 10.8 points per outing. Kerner is the reigning NEC Rookie of the Week after pouring in 18 points against Manhattan. She also leads the team with 18 assists. Three of the Bobcats’ five probable starters are freshmen (Kerner, Brianna Rooney and Kathleen Neyens).
THE SYRACUSE-QUINNIPIAC SERIES
The Orange won the only meeting between these two schools, 65-61, in Hamden, Conn. on Nov. 28, 2004.
Lauren Kohn led three SU players in double figures with 19 points. Chineze Nwago contributed a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Sara Antolick pulled down a career-best 13 boards. Fifteen of Kohn’s 19 points came after halftime. The Bobcats owned a 61-60 advantage with 3:58 to play, but the SU defense did not surrender another point.
Syracuse vs. Quinnipiac Facts & Figures
All-Time Series: SU leads, 1-0
First Meeting: Nov. 28, 2004 (Syracuse 65, Quinnipiac 61)
Last Meeting: See first meeting
Last 10 Meetings: See all-time series record
Current Streak: SU, 1
Coach Cieplicki’s Record vs. Quinnipiac: 1-0 (1-0 with Syracuse)
