Women's Basketball Begins 2006-07 at Penn State

ORANGE BEGINS 2006-07 AT PENN STATE

Syracuse University women's basketball tips off the 2006-07 campaign with a road contest versus the Penn State Lady Lions. The Orange went 0-2 in preseason losing to Team adidas/Premier Players, 68-66 in overtime at Manley Field House on Nov. 3 and Athletes in Action, 87-78, at Manley Field House on Nov. 8. Junior Fantasia Goodwin was SU’s top scorer and rebounder in the two exhibition tilts, averaging 21.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game. Junior Vaida Sipaviciute (13.5), freshman Nicole Michael (13.0) and junior Mary Joe Riley (10.0) all averaged double-figures for the Orange.

For just the third time in nine games dating back to last year, Sipaviciute did not lead SU in scoring against Team adidas/Premier Players. The 6-foot-4 junior bettered her averages from 2005-06 with 19 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks, but Goodwin stole the show, leading the team in points (21) and rebounds (13) while adding three steals, three assists, and shooting 8-for-9 from the free throw line.

Michael and Goodwin each scored 21 points against Athletes in Action. Sophomore point guard Cintia Johnson led SU with 10 rebounds and eight assists in addition to seven points. Sipaviciute and sophomore forward Keri Laimbeer each added eight points.

2006-07 SEASON OUTLOOK

The Orange will not be at full strength during the 2006-07 as injuries have plagued SU during the preseason. Seniors Tracy Harbut and Ashley McMillen both have knee injuries and will be sidelined for an extended period of time. Sophomores Sara Antolick and Brittany Smith are also out for an extended period of time with knee and foot injuries, respectively and sophomore Lina Lisnere will miss some of the 2006-07 season with a foot injury.

SU is fortunate to have back a healthy Vaida Sipaviciute. The 6-foot-4-inch junior center had a breakout season in 2005-06, earning second-team All-BIG EAST honors after leading the Orange in scoring (16.3 ppg) and rebounding (7.1 rpg). She turned in one of the most dominant offensive performances in school history, setting the SU single-game scoring record with 41 points against Colgate. She also pulled down 21 rebounds against the Raiders, which ranks second on the Orange’s single-game chart. Sipaviciute scored at least 20 points 10 times and finished in double figures in 22-of-27 games.

Sipaviciute’s dominance wasn’t limited to the offensive end of the court. She also spearheaded the Orange defense, leading the BIG EAST in blocks per game (2.26) for the second consecutive season. She became the first SU player in more than a decade to post consecutive 60-block seasons and her 61 rejections in 2005-06 ranks ninth on the Orange’s single-season blocks ledger.

Joining Sipaviciute up front will be junior college transfer Fantasia Goodwin. Goodwin, one of the most decorated junior college players in the country, played two seasons at Monroe College in the Bronx. She led the nation in scoring both seasons and guided Monroe to a 36-0 record and the 2006 NJCAA Division III national championship last year. Goodwin earned WBCA/Kodak All-America honors last season and finished her career as the NJCAA Division III all-time scoring leader. She also set the NJCAA Division III single-season scoring standard, averaging 28.1 points per game in 2005-06. At six feet tall, Goodwin is also versatile and could see time at power forward and in the backcourt.

Sophomore Keri Laimbeer made six starts at power forward and demonstrated an ability to score from the perimeter, as well as on the block. She hit five 3-pointers and stretched opposing defenses with her mid-range game. Laimbeer averaged 13.9 minutes and 4.3 points per game off the bench for SU in its final nine games.

The Orange has the luxury of having a player who received big-game experience running the point last season. Sophomore Cintia Johnson responded to the challenge of leading the team as a rookie and returns to campus as SU’s primary ball handler. Johnson made 18 starts and appeared in 26-of-27 contests. She started the final nine games in 2005-06 and finished second on the team with 29 steals and third on the squad with 54 assists.

Johnson will have no shortage of weapons accompanying her on the perimeter. Junior Mary Joe Riley and freshman Nicole Michael give SU a pair of perimeter players who can put the ball on the floor and create scoring opportunities. Riley saw action in 12 contests and displayed flashes of her natural scoring ability, including hitting the game-winning basket with time running out at Buffalo. Michael is a 6-foot-2-inch wing player who spent her final scholastic season at Notre Dame Prep in Massachusetts. She averaged 25.3 points and 13.2 rebounds, helping Notre Dame to the NACA national championship game. She was the 50th-rated high school recruit in America by The All-Star Girls Report and Hillsman believes with her size and ability to shoot from the outside, she will cause match-up problems for opposing guards.

SYRACUSE IN SEASON OPENERS

The Orange is 23-12 all-time in season debuts, including a 65-61 win last season versus Manhattan in Riverdale, N.Y. This year’s opener marks the 14th time in the past 15 seasons that the Orange has begun the year on the road. The only time since 1991-92 that SU has opened a season at home came during the 2004-05 season versus Niagara.

SYRACUSE IN ROAD OPENERS

SU has begun at an opponent’s venue 19 times in its 35 year-history of women’s basketball. The Orange is 12-7 in those games and have won five of its last six road openers. SU won its first six season-opening road games and did not lose a road opener until a 64-52 loss at Siena in 1992-93.

SCOUTING THE LADY LIONS

The Lady Lions (1-0) opened the the season with a 74-56 win at Drexel on Nov. 10. Preseason All-Big Ten team member Amanda Brown registered her 10th career double-double with 18 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. The senior also surpassed the 500 rebound mark for her career. Freshman Tyra Grant was impressive in her Penn State debut with a six-point, three-assist performance and sophomore forward Courtney Molinaro was one of many bright spots on defense, grabbing seven rebounds and stealing three passes. This season marks the 27th at Penn State for head coach Rene Portland. Portland, who owns a career record of 679-249, is the seventh-winningest coach of all-time, and is one of just 15 coaches (12 active) with more than 600 wins.

THE SYRACUSE-PENN STATE SERIES

This is the 17th meeting between Syracuse and Penn State, but the first since the 1993-94 season. The Orange and Lady Lions played each other for 16 consecutive years between the 1978-79 and 1993-94 seasons. The Lady Lions hold a 15-1 advantage in the all-time series. SU’s lone victory came during the 1988-89 season when the Orange took home an 82-76 overtime win in Manley Field House.

Syracuse vs. Penn State Facts & Figures

All-Time Series Penn State leads, 15-1

First Meeting Jan. 31, 1979 (Penn State 95, Syracuse 64)

Last Meeting Nov. 30, 1993 (Penn State 90, Syracuse 53)

Last 10 Meetings Penn State leads, 9-1

Current Streak Penn State, 5

Versus the Big Ten 2-29

Coach Hillsman’s Record vs. Penn State 0-0

Year Site SU-Opp. W L

1978-79 H 64-95 0 1

1979-80 A 72-82 0 2

1980-81 H 71-86 0 3

1981-82 A 52-91 0 4

1982-83 H 69-86 0 5

1983-84 A 55-93 0 6

1984-85 H 75-92 0 7

1985-86 A 79-82 0 8

1986-87 H 58-61 0 9

1987-88 A 70-87 0 10

1988-89 H 82-76 OT 1 10

1989-90 A 68-83 1 11

1990-91 H 54-98 1 12

1991-92 A 66-98 1 13

1992-93 H 43-67 1 14

1993-94 A 53-90 1 15

SERIES RECORD:

Penn State leads 15-1 (SU - Home: 1-7; Away: 0-8; Neutral: 0-0)

EXHIBITION WRAP-UP

Syracuse 66, Team adidas/Premier Players 68 OT - Nov. 3, 2006 at Manley Field House

The Syracuse University women’s basketball team lost to Team adidas/Premier Players in overtime, 68-66, in its first exhibition game of the 2006-07 season at Manley Field House on Nov. 3. The teams traded the lead multiple times during the game, but Premier tied the game at the end of regulation and hit seven free throws in overtime to come away with the win. Junior guard Fantasia Goodwin scored a game-high 21 points and pulled down 13 rebounds.

Leah Metcalf got the scoring started for Premier, using a pump fake to elude her defender and hit a jump shot from the elbow. The Orange started the game slow, missing its first five shots, but junior center Vaida Sipaviciute made the first basket of the season, a jumper just inside the key off a pass from sophomore guard Cintia Johnson. Goodwin put the Orange up early with a long three pointer four minutes into the game.

Premier hung to a one-point lead for over three minutes as both teams were plagued by traveling calls and fouls, but freshman forward Nicole Michael hit a 3-pointer from the left wing to put the Orange up 10-8. Nikita Bell made a pair of free throws for Premier to knot the game at 10 at the 10-minute mark of the half and Katie Alsdurf connected on a layup to put them up by two. Sipaviciute made another jumper to tie the game again and junior guard Mary Joe Riley hit a 3-pointer, the Orange’s third of the half, to put it back on top, 15-12.

Premier went on a 7-0 run to regain the advantage and stayed out in front the rest of the half. Sophomore forward Keri Lambeer kept the Orange in it, scoring four points in the final minute, and the teams went into the locker rooms at halftime with Premiere leading, 34-31.

The Orange took its first lead of the second half, 39-36, on a jumper in the lane by Sipaviciute, but Premier came right back with a 3-pointer by Camille Murphy. Premier had a two-point lead when Goodwin hit her third 3-pointer of the game to spark a 12-0 run for the Orange that put it on top by its largest margin of the half, 51-41.

Premier was hindered by poor shooting and turnovers throughout the majority of the second half. They went 3-for-22 in the first 14 minutes of the frame and turned the ball over 12 times. Premier came back with a 9-0 run of its own, highlighted by a long 3-pointer by Amy Wright, to come within one point of Syracuse, 51-50.

Riley’s 3-pointer with three minutes left gave the Orange a five-point advantage, but Premier forced two turnovers and were down only two with 1:41 when Michael fouled out, leaving Syracuse with only seven players. Premier had two chances to tie the game, but missed the front end of a one-and-one and had a pass intercepted by Sipaviciute. Premier had another chance to pull even with Syracuse with 41 seconds left as Kenya MacBee missed two free throws. Premier controlled the rebound, but Bell threw the ball out of bounds along the baseline.

The Orange brought the ball down court, but lost control and Premier broke out with a fast break. MacBee went in for a layup and Johnson drew a charge, giving possession to Syracuse with 16 seconds left and a two-point lead. Premier forced another turnover and Bell made a short jumper with three seconds left to force overtime.

Sipaviciute scored 19 points and had nine rebounds despite fouling out in overtime. Johnson led the Orange with five assists. Metcalf and Bell led Premier with 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Syracuse 78, Athletes in Action 87 - Nov. 8, 2006 at Manley Field House

The Orange lost its final tune-up for the regular season to the Athletes in Action 87-78 at the Manley Field House on Nov. 8.

The two Syracuse newcomers led the charge for the Orange. Freshman forward Nicole Michael and junior transfer Fantasia Goodwin each scored 21 points. Sophomore point guard Cintia Johnson led SU with 10 rebounds and eight assists in addition to seven points. Junior center Vaida Sipaviciute and sophomore forward Keri Laimbeer each added eight points.

The Orange started the contest strong. Sipaviciute won the opening tip and Johnson quickly drove the ball and drew an early foul. She connected on the early free throw to give SU the early lead. Syracuse would score the first five points of the game before the Athletes in Action responded with an 8-2 run and claimed their first lead of the evening.

The Orange would score 13 of the game’s next 15 points to take a 20-10 advantage. SU’s defense helped give the Orange the early advantage during the run, allowing the Athletes in Action to connect on only one of nine field goals and causing two turnovers. The Orange took advantage of its opponent’s miscues on offense, using its own fast-break offense to take the 10-point advantage. Michael and Johnson converted on two quick layups, drew fouls and then completed the three-point plays as the Orange seized control of the game.

The Athletes in Action scored nine-consecutive points late in the half to tie the game at 33. The Orange quickly responded and scored four-straight points as junior guard Mary Joe Riley and Goodwin both hit shots. The Athletes in Action ended the first period on a 10-1 run to head into halftime with a 43-38 advantage.

The Athletes in Action picked right up in the second half where they ended the first. They scored 10 of the first 14 points and grabbed an 11-point, the largest by either team to that point. Trailing 55-44, the Orange defense returned to its early form and used an 11-3 run to pull within three at 58-55.

The Syracuse offense then went cold as the Athletes in Action stretched its lead to 12 points, the largest of the game. Michael single-handily attempted to bring the Orange back into the game, scoring 10-consecutive points for SU as the Orange cut the lead to six points with 1:38 remaining in the game. The Athletes in Action were able to hit their free throws down the stretch, winning the game by nine points.

Syracuse connected on 43.2 percent of its field goals while the Athletes in Action hit 46.3 of their shots, including seven 3-pointers. Crystal Coston led the Athletes in Action with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Hillsman Promoted to Head Women’s Basketball Coach

Syracuse University Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross announced that Quentin Hillsman will be the Orange head coach. Known as an outstanding recruiter, Hillsman takes the reigns of the program permanently after serving as the interim head coach since June 6. Hillsman, who was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Orange during the 2005-06 season, signed a five-year contract. Hillsman is the fifth head coach since the program began in 1971-72.

Hillsman Lands SU’s Best Recruiting Class Ever

Syracuse University head women’s basketball coach Quentin Hillsman did not disappoint with his first recruiting class as SU’s head coach, landing the 11th-best class in the county by All-Star Girls Report and the 13th-best according to Blue Star Basketball. SU’s best recruiting classes ever includes three top-100 high school seniors and the No. 1, No. 3 and No. 28 and junior college players in the country.

High school seniors Erica Morrow (Brooklyn, N.Y./Murray Bergtraum H.S.), Tasha Harris (Bronx, N.Y./St. Michael Academy) and Chanieka Williams (Seattle, Wash./Garfield H.S.) and junior college transfers Juanita Ward (Bolton, Miss./Odessa College), Chandrea Jones (Baltimore, Md./Odessa College) and Inga Muciniece (Ventspils, Latvia/Barton County C.C.) have all signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Syracuse University and play women’s basketball Hillsman announced.

Morrow, a 5-foot-8-inch guard is rated as the No. 29 prospect in the country by Blue Star Basketball and No. 40 by All-Star Girls Report. Morrow averaged 19.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 7.7 assists last season for Murray Bergtraum H.S. Morrow comes to Syracuse with many accolades including adidas All-America, New York Newsday All-City First Team (2005), New York Newsday All-Manhattan First Team (2005), Street & Smith All-America Honorable Mention (2004, 2005, 2006), Student Sports Freshman All-America (2004), New York Newsday All-Manhattan Second Team (2004), New York Daily News All-Manhattan Second Team (2004).

Harris, a 5-foot-8-inch guard is rated as the No. 45 recruit in the country by Blue Star Basketball and No. 86 by All-Star Girls Report. She averaged 18 points, seven assists, five rebounds and four steals while leading St. Michael Academy to the Manhattan Girls Catholic League Championship in 2005-06.

Williams, a 5-foot-9-inch guard is rated as the No. 90 prospect by All-Star Girls Report. A three-time honorable mention selection in the KingCo 4A League, Willams was also an adidas All-American. Williams averaged 14 points, six assists and four steals last season.

Ward, a 5-foot-11-inch forward is rated as the No. 1 junior college recruit by All-Star Girls Report. A transfer from Gulf Coast Community College, Ward has been named to the 2006-07 National Junior College Athletic Association Preseason All-America Second Team for Odessa. Ward was a third-team NJCAA All-American last season at Gulf Coast CC. She was also a McDonald’s All-American out of high school. Ward averaged 19.3 points while leading Gulf Coast CC to the Florida Community College Activities Association state championship game last season.

Jones, a teammate of Ward’s this season at Odessa is the No. 3 junior college prospect by All-Star Girls Report. The 5-foot-9-inch guard earned NJCAA All-America Third Team honors while leading Odessa to the NJCAA finals in 2005-06. Jones averaged 20.3 points, 7.9 rebound, 4.5 steals and 3.2 assists in 2005-06 while being named to the Western Junior College Athletic Conference All-Conference team. She has already been named to the 2006-07 NJCAA Preseason All-America First Team.

Muciniece, a 6-foot-5-inch freshman at Barton County C.C. will have three years of eligibly at Syracuse. She attended Ventspils Secondary School No. 5 in Latvia last season where she averaged 11 points, 14 rebounds and two assists per contest. She is rated as the No. 28 junior college recruit by All-Star Girls Report.

Syracuse University Athletics

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