Syracuse Looks to Continue its Winning Ways against DePaul
2/19/2007 4:19:53 PM | Women's Basketball
The Syracuse University women’s basketball team (9-17, 3-10 BIG EAST) looks to continue its winning ways against DePaul (16-10, 6-7 BIG EAST) on Tues., Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. in the friendly confines of the Carrier Dome. The game can be seen live on suathletics.com as part of Orange All Access and heard live for FREE on suathletics.com with Brian Higgins calling the action. Fans in the Syracuse can also listen to the contest live on WJPZ 89.1 FM. Live stats are also available on suathletics.com. The Orange is coming off a 65-58 victory at Georgetown on Feb. 17. The Blue Demons have won two of their last three, including a 85-60 win against Seton Hall on Feb. 17.
MS 1,000
Junior Vaida Sipaviciute became the 16th player in school history to record 1,000 career points, leading the Orange to a 65-58 victory against Georgetown on Feb. 17. Sipaviciute posted a season-best 20 points to lead Syracuse to the BIG EAST victory. Sipaviciute connected on 9-of-13 (.692) field goals and added seven rebounds and three blocks against the Hoyas. In addition to reaching the 1,000-point mark, Sipaviciute passed Janice Long for 15th in school history with 1,011 career points. Long recorded 1,002 points from 1984 to 1987.
Sipaviciute is first on the team in blocks (1.9), field-goal percentage, making 46.9 percent (144-307) of her attempts and free-throw percentage, making 68 of her 95 her attempts (.716) her chances. She is second in points (13.8) and third in rebounding (5.8). Sipaviciute has led the Orange in blocks 21 times, scoring eight times, rebounding four times, steals twice and assists once. She has scored in double-figures in 23 of SU’s 26 games, including nine consecutive. The junior is fourth in the BIG EAST (all games) and 44th in the nation in blocks. Sipaviciute is also17th in the BIG EAST (all games) in scoring. In BIG EAST games only, she is 13th in field-goal percentage, making 46.9 percent (75-160) of her attempts and 15th in free-throw percentage, making 38 of her 50 attempts (.760) and minutes played (34.00).
Sipaviciute is first on the team in blocks (1.9), field-goal percentage, making 46.9 percent (144-307) of her attempts and free-throw percentage, making 68 of her 95 her attempts (.716) her chances. She is second in points (13.8) and third in rebounding (5.8). Sipaviciute has led the Orange in blocks 21 times, scoring eight times, rebounding four times, steals twice and assists once. She has scored in double-figures in 23 of SU’s 26 games, including nine consecutive. The junior is fourth in the BIG EAST (all games) and 44th in the nation in blocks. Sipaviciute is also17th in the BIG EAST (all games) in scoring. In BIG EAST games only, she is 13th in field-goal percentage, making 46.9 percent (75-160) of her attempts and 15th in free-throw percentage, making 38 of her 50 attempts (.760) and minutes played (34.00).
Michael Named BIG EAST Freshman of the Week
Freshman sensation Nicole Michael earned BIG EAST Freshman of the Week accolades for the fourth time in her rookie season after averaging 16.0 points and 10.0 rebounds in Syracuse’s two games last week. Michael’s fourth honor is the most by a Syracuse freshman. Michael scored 13 points in Syracuse’s opening game of the weekend against No. 23/23 Rutgers. She scored 19 points and pulled down a career-best 17 rebounds in SU’s victory against Georgetown on Saturday. Her 17 rebounds are the most by an SU freshman since Felisha Legette also recorded 17 boards against Connecticut in 1985.
Michael is averaging a team-leading 16.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for the Orange in 2006-07. Her 16.8 points rank seventh in the BIG EAST while her 8.5 rebounds is the sixth-best mark in the conference. Michael is first among freshman in the conference in scoring and rebounding. On pace to record the most points in a single season by a Syracuse player, Michael currently sits second among freshman for scoring in school history. Michael has totaled 438 points, which is second only to Martha Mogish’s 469 points during the 1977-78 season.
Michael’s fourth honor tops the record set by former Orange standouts Legette and Angel Lewis. Legette earned the conference honor three times during the 1984-85 season, while Lewis duplicated the feat in 1991-92.
SCOUTING THE BLUE DEMONS
The DePaul Blue Demons (16-10, 6-7 BIG EAST) improved to 16-10 overall with a 85-60 home win over Seton Hall on Feb. 17. Junior forward Caprice Smith tallied 22 points and 12 rebounds. Senior guard Jenna Rubino added 18 points and six rebounds. Junior guard Allie Quilgey chipped in 12 points and freshman guard China Threatt scored 11 points. The Blue Demons led from the opening tip and held a 55-27 halftime lead. SHU outscored DPU, 33-30 in the second half. DePaul shot 46.7 percent (35-of-75) from the field and was 11-of- 29 from 3-point range. DPU assisted on 20 baskets and made nine steals. DePaul forced 23 turnovers and scored 25 points on the miscues. DePaul held the slim 41-40 edge on the boards.
Caprise Smith leads the way for the Blue Demons with a team-high 15.6 points and a team-best 8.8 rebounds. Allie Quigley has added 15.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, a team-high 3.2 assists and a team-best 1.5 steals. Jenna Rubino has contributed 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds. Missy Mitidiero is averaging 7.9 points and 1.7 rebounds and China Threatt has donated 7.4 points and 1.9 rebounds.
Doug Bruno, (391-227 (.633)) is in his 21st season as head coach of the Blue Demons women’s basketball team. DePaul passed the 200 3-pointers mark for the eighth straight season. DPU has held its last two opponents without a three-point field goal. Notre Dame and Seton Hall went a combined 0-for-15 from behind the arc. The Blue Demons are 12-1 when holding opponents to less than 70 points. Head coach Doug Bruno has used nine different starting line-ups this season. DePaul is 33-3 in its last 36 home conference games. At least four players have scored in double-figures in 13 games. The Blue Demons lost at Notre Dame 78-70 on Feb. 11.
THE SYRACUSE-DEPAUL SERIES
This is the second meeting between DePaul and Syracuse, with the Blue Demons holding the 1-0 advantage. DePaul defeated the Orange, 82-57, last season in Syracuse’s season finale.
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