SU Women's Basketball Returns to the Dome
11/25/2006 5:22:33 PM | Women's Basketball
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IT’S NICE TO BE HOME
The Syracuse University women’s basketball team (1-3) plays host to Niagara on Sun., Nov. 26 at Noon at the Carrier Dome. The game can be heard live on suathletics.com with Brian Higgins calling the action. It can also be heard live on WJPZ 89.1 FM. Live stats are available on suathletics.com. Video of the game will be on the “Orange All Access” subscription, but the audio will remain at no charge. Subscription to All Access includes access to coaches show broadcasts, video highlights, behind the scences features, press conferences and more, including video of all home women’s basketball games. The cost for a yearly subscription to All-Access is $79.95 and a monthly subscription is $9.95. The Orange comes in riding a two-game losing streak, losing at Lehigh, 55-48 on Nov. 19 and at Saint Peter’s, 58-52 on Nov. 22. Syracuse is 1-0 at home on the young season but only plays four nonconference games at the Dome. The Orange doesn’t return home until Dec. 9.
FANTASIA IS GOOD(WIN)
Junior forward Fantasia Goodwin recorded her first career double-double at Saint Peter’s on Nov. 22. The junior scored 14 points and gobbled up a career-best 17 rebounds. It was the first time a player has grabbed 15 or more rebounds since junior center Vaida Sipaviciute’s 21-rebound performance against Colgate on Nov. 29, 2005. Goodwin had 12 of her rebounds in the first half. She has scored in double-figures in three of SU’s four games this seasons and is averaging a team-best 8.8 rebounds to go along with her 11.0 points and 1.75 steals per game. She is also first on the team in free-throw percentage, making 87.5 percent (7-8) of her attempts and 3-point field goal percentage, making 38.5 percent (5-13).
DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Junior center Vaida Sipaviciute registered her first double-double of the season at Saint Peter’s on Nov. 22. The junior scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds en route to her ninth career double-double. All 10 of her points and seven of her rebounds came in the second half. Sipaviciute is first on the team in blocks per game (1.5) and field-goal percentage, making 21-of-39 attempts (.538). She is also second on the squad in scoring per game (11.0) and third in rebounds per game (5.8). Sipaviciute has scored in double-figures in two of SU’s four games this year.
FRESH ORANGE
Freshman forward Nicole Michael led the Orange in scoring for the second-consecutive game, recording 19 points at Saint Peter’s on Nov. 22. The freshman also had six rebounds, a career-best two blocks and two steals while playing a career-high 37 minutes. Michael is leading the team in scoring (15.5) and is second in rebounding (6.5). In SU’s last three games, she has poured in 17, 21 and 19 points, respectively. Michael is averaging 19.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists over those three contests.
SCOUTING THE PURPLE EAGLES
Niagara (4-1) comes into today’s game after losing its first contest of the season. The Purple Eagles lost 58-41 at Duquesne on Nov. 22. Niagara had won four consecutive games prior to that loss. Junior Sarah Wilson came off the bench to lead the Purple Eagles offensively, posting her second career double-double with 14 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. Classmate Michelle Manfredi also grabbed 12 rebounds. Niagara suffered from poor shooting, shooting 24.2 percent (15-62) from the field and 3.7 percent (1-27) from 3-point range and 58.8 percent (10-17) from the free-throw line. Shaunna Ambrose leads the Purple Eagles in scoring with 17.4 points and steals (2.8). She has made 88.1 percent (37-42) of her free throws. Michelle Manfredi and Chantelle Wilson are both averaging 10.4 points per game. Manfredi has also grabbed a team-best 9.4 rebounds per game. Sarah Wilson is averaging 9.0 rebounds, 2.8 blocks and 1.6 steals per game. Niagara has made more free throws (96) than its opponents have attempted (88). Ambrose is the reigning MAAC Player of the Week. The Purple Eagles are 4-0 when leading with 10 minutes remaining in the game.
THE SYRACUSE-NIAGARA SERIES
This is the 11th meeting between Syracuse and Niagara. SU holds a 6-4 advantage in the all-time series. The Purple Eagles won both the first and last meetings in the all-time series. The last meeting took place at Niagara where the Purple Eagles beat the Orange, 61-45 on Nov. 23, 2005.
