Women Welcome Portland State in Dome Opener
11/21/2008 2:04:02 PM | Women's Basketball
Game Notes
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Live Stats
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse women’s basketball team hosts Portland State in the 2008-09 home opener at the Carrier Dome on Saturday, November 22, at 1 pm following a three-game road stint to start off the year. Saturday afternoon’s game will be the first meeting between the two squads. The Orange has overall record of 25-12 in its first home game of the season since the program’s inception in 1971.
Live stats along with a live broadcast of the game can be heard on WTLA AM 1200 and SUathletics.com.
Orange Outings
The Orange dominated in its first two games of the season at Siena and at Maryland Eastern Shore, 89-75 and 68-28, respectively. Senior guard and 2008-09 Preseason All-BIG EAST Team member Chandrea Jones canned a career-high 33 points and sophomore guard Eric Morrow tied a career-best with 25 points and set a career-high with six steals. Following the first win, Syracuse traveled to Maryland Eastern Shore where junior guard Juanita Ward registered her first double-double as a member of the Orange, recording a team-high 20 points and 15 rebounds.
This past Wednesday, Syracuse battled No. 17/18 Ohio State in its first loss of the season, 78-71. Morrow led the Orange for the second straight game with a game-high 23 points while junior forward Nicole Michael guided the Orange with 15 total boards. Ward attained her second double-double in a row, setting a career-high with 10 offensive boards, 12 in all, and scoring 11 points. The Orange dominated several categories at OSU’s Value City Arena including rebounds (46-43), points off turnovers (15-2) and points in the paint (40-26).
A Peek at Portland State
Portland State of the Big Sky Conference is guided by second-year head coach Sherri Murrell. The Vikings finished last season with a 22-9 overall record. PSU return four starters and 11 letterwinners from last year’s squad. Portland State won its first regular season game against BYU last Friday, 73-64. Sophomore Kelli Valentine led the Vikings with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while senior Kelsey Kahle was second with 12 points and 12 boards.
Player Notes
Morrow led the team in points with 23 at Ohio State. Morrow’s 23 points were a game high. She also recorded five rebounds at the Value City Arena.
Michael had a game-high 15 rebounds against the Buckeyes. She tied career-high in offensive rebounds with eight. Michael is second on the team this season with 30 rebounds (10.0 rpg).
Jones had a career game at Siena in SU’s victory. Jones was responsible for 33 of the Orange’s points (a career-high) after connecting on 11-of-14 field goal attempts, three-of-four three-point attempts, and making eight-of-10 free throws. Her 11 field goals were a career high. Jones also recorded seven rebounds in the game.
Ward recorded her second double-double as a member of the Orange in the setback at Ohio State. She recorded 11 points and 12 rebounds. Ward has reached double figures in the rebounding column in all three of the Orange’s games this season. Against Siena, she contributed a game-high 14 rebounds, including six offensive boards and eight on the defensive end. Against UMES, Ward recorded 20 points and 15 rebounds, both career-highs.
Several student-athletes made their Orange debuts in Syracuse’s opening weekend of action. Freshman Tyler Ash grabbed three rebounds off the bench against Siena. Redshirt freshman Chanieka Williams and freshman Troya Berry saw their first action in the Orange’s win at Maryland Eastern Shore. Williams had an assist and a steal, while Berry recorded one field goal and five rebounds.
