Michael Posts Third Consecutive Double-Double In Front of Season-High Crowd

Sunday, January 28

Carrier Dome - Syracuse, N.Y.

5:30 p.m.

Syracuse University

-/RV South Florida

Lina Lisnere recorded a career-best 11 points for the Orange.

Michael Posts Third Consecutive Double-Double In Front of Season-High Crowd

1/28/2007 7:41:42 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score
Coach Quentin Hillsman Quotes

SYRACUSE, N.Y – A season-high crowd of 1,934 fans at the Carrier Dome saw four SU players score in double figures but the Orange lost to South Florida, 78-61. Freshman Nicole Michael led the Orange with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Michael’s double-double was the third-consecutive for the rookie and her sixth of the season. Junior Vaida Sipaviciute matched Michael with 18 points and pulled down seven rebounds while classmate Fantasia Goodwin added 12 points and six rebounds. Sipaviciute moved into a tie for 19th in school history with 943 career points. She tied Teakyta Barnes, who recorded 943 points from 1995 to 1998.

Sophomore Lina Lisnere posted a career-best 11 points, pulled down seven rebounds, matched a personal-best with four steals and recorded a season-best four assists. Sophomore Cintia Johnson registered a career-high nine assists for the Orange.

The Orange (8-13, 2-6 BIG EAST) started the game strong, especially on the defensive front. The Bulls hit only two of their first 13 field goals (15.4 percent) and Syracuse forced five South Florida turnovers, including drawing three offensive fouls, as the Orange grabbed a 9-5 lead with 13:41 remaining in the opening period.

South Florida (15-5, 5-2 BIG EAST) regrouped from its slow start and found its shooting touch. The Bulls used a 17-7 run to gain a six-point advantage, 22-16, with 6:21 remaining in the half. South Florida connected on seven-of-12 field goals (58.3 percent) during the run, including three 3-point baskets, to claim the lead.

South Florida stretched its lead to 12 points in the first half before the Orange closed to within 10 at 36-26 as the two schools headed into halftime. Syracuse connected on 41.4 percent (12-29) of its field goals in the opening period while South Florida made 39.5 percent (15-38) of its shots. Sipaviciute led all scorers with 12 first-half points.

The Orange fought back in the second half and quickly cut into South Florida’s advantage. After the Bulls scored the first five points of the second stanza, the Orange recorded the next 12 points. Lisnere and Sipaviciute both connected on 3-point field goals and Michael added six points as Syracuse pulled to within three points, 41-38, with 17:24 remaining in the contest.

The Bulls would later reclaim its double-digit lead. Leading 49-45, South Florida scored eight consecutive points to stretch its advantage to 12 points, 57-45, with 10:46 remaining. The Orange pulled to within nine points but could not get any closer after the South Florida run.

Syracuse connected on 36.4 percent (20-55) of its field goals while the Bulls hit 41.1 percent (30-73) of its shots.

The Orange returns to action on Wednesday, squaring off against BIG EAST foe West Virginia at 7 p.m.