Michael Nets 21 at #18/20 Marquette

Wednesday, January 3

Milwaukee, Wisc.

8 p.m.

Syracuse University

#18/20 Marquette

Nicole Michael recorded her sixth 20-point game of the season, posting a game-high 21 points.

1/3/2007 10:02:51 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Milwaukee, Wis. – The Orange lost in its first game against a ranked opponent during the 2006-07 season, losing to No. 18/20 Marquette in a BIG EAST contest. The Golden Eagles outscored the Orange 41-18 in the first half en route to the 79-55 victory.

“When you are playing against a top 20 team in the country, you can’t put yourselves in that kind of hole,” said head coach Quentin Hillsman.

Freshman Nicole Michael recorded her sixth 20-point game of the season, posting 21 points and adding seven rebounds. Junior Vaida Sipaviciute scored in double figures for the 12th-consecutive game, scoring a season-best 19 points on eight-of-12 shooting. Sipaviciute matched Michael with seven rebounds to lead the Orange. Junior Fantasia Goodwin added eight points and classmate Cintia Johnson recorded a season-best five assists.

“Nicole is the kind of player that when she gets comfortable, she can make some plays,” Hillsman said. “Today, she played well and made some plays.”

Syracuse’s hopes for an upset ended quickly. Marquette burst SU’s bubble by scoring the game’s first 11 points. Syracuse missed its first six shots and committed eight turnovers before Michael scored the first SU points with more than six minutes off the clock.

The Orange (7-8, 1-1 BIG EAST) pulled to within eight points, 16-8, before the Marquette offense really started to roll. The Golden Eagles connected on three-consecutive 3-point field goals to stretch its advantage to 19 points. After a Sipaviciute basket, Marquette converted a three-point play and then added another 3-point field goal on its next possession to take a 33-12 lead.

The schools headed into halftime with Marquette holding a 41-18 lead. Michael led the Orange with nine first-half points.

Syracuse played much stronger during the second half. The Orange used an 11-4 run midway through the second half to cut the lead to 16 points, 54-38. The halftime deficit proved to be too much and the Orange could not get any closer than 16 points.

Syracuse’s tough play in the second half resulted in only a one-point difference in scoring with the Golden Eagles holding a 38-37 advantage. The Orange shot an improved 40.0 percent (12-30).

The Golden Eagles (14-1, 2-0 BIG EAST), who won their school-record 13th-consecutive game, held the advantage on the glass 48-32. Krystal Ellis led the team with 19 points.

The Orange continues BIG EAST play on Saturday, hosting Providence at 1 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.