Syracuse Rally Comes Up Short Against RV/25 Pitt

Tuesday, January 16

Carrier Dome - Syracuse, N.Y.

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

RV/25 Pittsburgh

Fantasia Goodwin recorded a game-high 22 points against Pittsburgh.

Syracuse Rally Comes Up Short Against RV/25 Pitt

1/16/2007 9:19:55 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Head Coach Quentin Hillsman Postgame Quotes

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange nearly rallied from two double-digit deficits in the second half but lost to RV/25 Pittsburgh, 84-74, in a BIG EAST game Tuesday evening. Three SU players scored at least 18 points but proved to not be enough in SU’s second-consecutive game against a ranked opponent.

Junior Fantasia Goodwin led the Orange (8-11, 2-4 BIG EAST) with 22 points and added nine rebounds. Junior Vaida Sipaviciute matched a season-high with 19 points and raised her career total to 911 points, becoming the 20th player in school history to reach the 900-point plateau in her career. Freshman Nicole Michael recorded her fourth double-double of the season, posting 18 points and a team-best 11 rebounds.

After the teams traded a pair of free throws to open the contest, Pittsburgh (14-3, 2-2 BIG EAST) used a 13-3 run to take command of the game early. Sipaviciute ended the Panther run, connecting on a layup with 13:53 remaining. Michael added a pair of free throws as the Orange pulled to within six, 15-9, only to see the Panthers continue their hot start and expand its advantage to 14 points, 25-11, with 9:22 remaining.

The Panthers continued their strong start as their lead burgeoned to 20 points, 37-17, with 5:48 remaining in the opening period. The Orange did not give up and quickly cut the lead after an 11-2 stretch. Syracuse connected on four-of six field goals during the run to pull within 11 points, 39-28, with 2:37 left in the half. Pittsburgh added a field goal as the two teams headed into intermission with the Panthers leading 41-28.

The Orange connected on 34.6 percent (9-26) of its field goals in the opening period and made nine-of-11 shots (81.8 %) from the charity stripe. Sipaviciute led SU with 12 points and five rebounds in the first half. Pittsburgh connected on 42.1 percent (16-38) of its field goals in the game’s opening stanza.

Syracuse opened the second half with renewed confidence, scoring on its first five possessions of the period to pull within eight points, 45-37, with 17:42 remaining in the contest.

After coming up empty on its next two possessions, Michael single-handily took over the game and scored the next 11 points for the Orange. She connected on a layup, completed a three-point play and then added a layup as Syracuse cut the Panther lead to three, 47-44. After Pittsburgh nailed a jumper, Michael connected on four free throws as the Orange inched closer and pulled to within a point, 49-48 with 13:29 remaining in the contest.

The Panthers early advantage proved to be too much for the Orange as Pittsburgh responded to the Syracuse stretch with a run of its own. Leading 51-50, the Panthers used a 21-5 run to gain a 17-point advantage, 72-55, with 6:34 remaining in the game.

When facing the double-digit deficit, the Orange did not give up. Syracuse scored 10 consecutive points to pull within seven, 72-65, with four minutes remaining in the contest. The Orange pulled to within six points, 76-70, with 1:47 left but Syracuse could not come any closer. Pittsburgh connected all six of its free throw attempts in the final minute to seal the victory.

The Orange connected on 40.4 percent (23-57) of its field goals during the game, including 45.2 percent (14-31) in the second half as the Orange attempted to rally. Syracuse also connected on a season-best 28 free throw attempts, making 77.8 percent (28-36) of its attempts. The Panthers hit 46.9 percent (30-64) of its field goals during the contest.

Syracuse continues BIG EAST play on Saturday, traveling to South Bend, Ind. to take on Notre Dame. The game is set to tip off at 2 p.m.