Michael's Magic Ends on Historic Note at Cincinnati

Monday, February 26

Cincinnati, Ohio

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

Cincinnati

Michael became the first SU player to eclipse 500 points in a single season.

Michael's Magic Ends on Historic Note at Cincinnati

2/26/2007 11:17:23 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Cincinnati, Ohio – Freshman sensation Nicole Michael closed her rookie season on a historic note. Michael set the single-season Syracuse record for points and became the first player in the program’s history to eclipse 500 points in a single season. Michael tallied a career-best 31 points in a 59-54 loss at Cincinnati.

Michael’s 31 points broke her own record for points by a freshman since the Orange began competing in the NCAA. Michael previously scored 29 points against Seton Hall. Michael raised her season total to 501 points, breaking the record of 488 points set by Holly Oslander during the 1990-91 campaign. She set the record with her 20th point of the evening, connecting on a jumper with 5:18 remaining in the game. It was also her 10th 20-point game of the season.

Michael also recorded six rebounds against the Bearcats to raise her season total to 248, which ranks ninth in school history. She connected on all 12 of her free throw attempts in the game, which is the fifth-highest total in school history. Her 1.000 free throw percentage marks the fourth time in the program’s history that a player has connected all of her free throws with at least 10 attempts. Only Kim Dick made all of her free throws with more attempts, connecting on all 14 of her tries during the 1982 season.

Junior Mary Joe Riley added 12 points for the Orange, one off of her career best. She connected on a career-best four 3-point field goals (of seven attempts). Sophomore Cintia Johnson posted a team-best five assists. Johnson and junior Vaida Sipaviciute also posted a team-high six rebounds.

The Orange (9-20, 3-13 BIG EAST) started the contest strong, jumping to an early lead. Riley gave SU the early advantage, 6-5, after nailing her first 3-point field goal of the evening. Syracuse did not trail the rest of the half after that point, stretching its lead to as much as 11 points. Cincinnati (15-13, 6-10 BIG EAST) closed the gap to six points, 28-22, as the two teams headed into intermission.

Michael led the Orange with 12 first-half points. The Orange connected on 47.6 percent (10-21) of its field goals during the opening period, while the Bearcats made 26.3 percent (10-38) of its attempts.

Cincinnati began the second half on a strong note, scoring the first seven points of the half to claim a one-point lead. The teams traded baskets over the next six minutes until Cincinnati used another 7-0 run to take advantage of the contest. Syracuse would only pull as close as three points following that point as the Bearcats connected on six free throws in the final 45 seconds to seal the victory.

Syracuse made 41.5 percent (17-41) of its field goal attempts, while Cincinnati connected on 33.3 percent (23-69) of its shots. Cincinnati held a 46-28 advantage on the glass, including a 24-1 edge on offensive rebounds.