Syracuse University
Butler University
Orange Off to Best Start Since 1997-98
11/27/2009 11:37:13 PM | Women's Basketball
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CANCUN, Mexico – The RV/RV Syracuse women's basketball team continued its undefeated win streak when it defeated Butler, 80-64, in the final game of the Cancun Thanksgiving Classic on Friday, November 27. With the win, the Orange is 6-0 on the season for the first time since 1997-98, when it started 7-0.
“I feel great,” said head coach Quentin Hillsman. “Undefeated is undefeated. We'll take the win, we'll travel home, and get ready to go. We're just thankful to have the opportunity to make these kinds of trips. It's great for our team and the camaraderie and they really responded in the second half.”
Junior guard Erica Morrow broke 1,000 all-time career points, as she led all scorers and matched her career-high with a season-high 29 points to go along with six rebounds. She shot 10-of-21 from the floor, 4-of-9 from behind the arc, and went 5-of-7 from the charity stripe. She now has 1,017 points in her third campaign at SU.
Syracuse had two additional players score in double figures, including senior forward Nicole Michael and freshman center Kayla Alexander, who each contributed 18. Michael's 1,401 career points is just four shy of tying for third on the Syracuse career record list.
The Orange started out slow as the Bulldogs built its lead to as much as eight, 10-2, in the first 3:26. Butler's advantage began to dwindle as the Syracuse offense went on a 11-0 run in less than three minutes to make the score 13-10. The Orange fought off six ties in the half, but Morrow put the game in SU's control as she single-handedly outscored Butler 7-5 within the last 5:26 of the half.
Morrow continued to dominate the floor, as she accounted for Syracuse's first five points out of the locker room, while increasing the Orange separation, 41-33. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native hit her final 3-ball of the night with 11:41 remaining to give Syracuse the 15-point advantage, 54-39. Butler answered with a 7-0 run just minutes later to cut the deficit to seven, but Alexander scored 13 points as the Orange built its lead back up, 72-60, with 2:22 to go.
The Orange maintained its double-digit advantage courtesy of eight shots from the free throw line in the final minutes before settling with an 80-64 victory.
The Bulldogs were led by four players in double figures, including Melanie Thorton, who finished with 14 points off the bench.
Syracuse will return to the Carrier Dome on Wednesday, December 2 to host a 7 p.m. contest against Wagner.
