Syracuse University
Alabama State University
Michael Records 23rd Career Double-Double in 74-66 Win
11/19/2009 9:51:12 PM | Women's Basketball
View Box Score | Coach Quentin Hillsman Quotes
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Senior guard Nicole Michael recorded her 23rd career double-double in Syracuse's 74-66 win against Alabama State on Thursday, November 19 at Manley Field House. Michael scored 18 points and pulled down 14 boards in the victory, while junior guard Erica Morrow scored 20 points for her 16th career 20-plus point game. Freshman center Kayla Alexander rounded out the SU scorers in double-digits with 12 points and seven rebounds. The win gives Syracuse its first 3-0 start since 2004-05 when it began the season 5-0.
“I thought down the stretch that Erica Morrow and Nicole Michael came up strong and they played big, and Tasha Harris hit a tough shot to kind of put the game away," said head coach Quentin Hillsman. "We just have to be better. I'm very disappointed in our effort and in everything we tried to do tonight on the defensive end. They drove past us and it's just unacceptable.”
Morrow opened up the scoring for both teams at the 18:33 mark, but the Orange and Lady Hornets battled for the lead throughout the first half, which featured eight ties and five lead changes. Syracuse reached its largest lead of the half, 15-11, when Michael made a jumper with 10:09 remaining and kept the narrow margin for five minutes. The Lady Hornets held the 29-32 lead with 2:36 remaining, but the Orange fought back to settle the score 35-35 going into the locker room.
Michael accounted for seven Syracuse points in its 18-10 run to open the second half, which gave the Orange a 53-45 lead with 14:17 remaining in the game. The Lady Hornets held SU scoreless for four minutes until freshman guard Carmen Tyson-Thomas hit consecutive free throws to give the Orange a 55-52 edge with 10:08 left.
The Orange continued to pull ahead after consecutive 3-pointers by junior guard Tasha Harris and Michael, making the score 67-56 with just over five minutes remaining. ASU went on a 6-0 run, but four free throws by Morrow gave the Orange the eight-point victory.
Alabama State was led by Tandria Milton, who had a team-high 12 points and seven rebounds, while Tanika Jackson scored 11 points and pulled down six boards.
Syracuse returns to the Carrier Dome for its final game of its four-game homestand when it hosts Binghamton on Sunday, November 22 for a 2 p.m. tipoff.
