Syracuse University
Binghamton University
Michael Scores 36 Points in 87-74 Victory
11/22/2009 4:18:44 PM | Women's Basketball
Syracuse 87, Binghamton 74
Coach Hillsman Postgame Quotes
Syracuse Player Quotes
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Senior forward Nicole Michael registered the best game of her career in Syracuse's 87-74 win against Binghamton on Sunday, November 22. The senior went 8-of-12 from 3-point range and scored 36 points to go along with a career-best tying 17 rebounds. Michael's career-best eight 3-pointers tied a Syracuse record. Michael is also fourth all-time at Syracuse in scoring and fourth in rebounding. The win gives Syracuse its first 4-0 start since the 2004-05 season.
Junior guard Erica Morrow backed up Michael with 14 points and matched her career-high with nine assists, while senior forward Juanita Ward had nine points and six boards.
Syracuse held an early six-point lead after Michael made her first 3-ball at the 14:50 mark of the opening period to give the Orange the nine-point advantage, 16-7. The Bearcats and Orange began a 3-point shooting battle after BU went on a 9-0 run courtesy of three consecutive 3-pointers to tie the game at 16, but sophomore guard Tyler Ash stopped the Binghamton run with a layup and Michael fired from behind the arc to increase the SU lead, 21-16.
SU kept control the remainder of the half, extending its lead to as much as 12 with 1:48 left on the clock. Freshman guard Carmen Tyson-Thomas completed a 3-point play in the final minute of the half to reach the 51-39 score at the half.
The Orange went on a 14-5 run to open the second half, 65-46, with 16:17 remaining. Michael drained a three less than two minutes later to further extend the Syracuse lead, 70-54. The Bearcats attempted to claw their way back into the game when Andrea Holmes put up another 3-pointer at the 12:15 mark to cut the deficit to nine, 71-64, but the Orange offense proved too much for Binghamton to handle as the Orange built its lead to 16 after Ward made a layup with 4:44 left on the clock. The Bearcats went on an 8-2 run the final five minutes, but Syracuse held on for the 87-74 victory.
Syracuse will travel to Cancun, Mexico to compete in the Cancun Thanksgiving Classic. It will play Old Dominion on Thanksgiving Day at 8:15 p.m., followed by a contest against Butler on Friday, November 27 for an 8:15 p.m. tipoff.
