Orange Returns to BIG EAST Play
1/12/2010 4:32:31 PM | Women's Basketball
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The rv/25 Syracuse women's basketball team (14-1, 1-1) returns to BIG EAST Conference play on Wednesday, January 13 when it hosts rv/rv Rutgers (10-6, 2-0) at the Carrier Dome. Fans are encouraged to Orange Out the Dome as SU attempts to make history by improving to 15-1 for the first time in the program's 39-year history. It also looks to defeat the Scarlet Knights in back-to-back meetings for the first time. The game can be heard live on SU's flagship station WTLA 1200/1400 AM or on Syracuse's student station, WJPZ 891 FM.
Michael Reaches 1,500 Career Points
Senior forward Nicole Michael became the third Syracuse player to reach 1,500 points when she scored 19 points against Brown on January 10. She shot 7-of-13 (.538) from the field, including 5-of-8 (.625) from behind the 3-point line. The senior has led SU in scoring a team-high tying six times and has reached double-figures in points a team-high 12 times this season. She is averaging a team-best 14.6 points and 7.9 rebounds to go along with 1.5 steals and 1.0 assist per contest.
Last Time Out
The Orange concluded a perfect nonconference slate when it defeated Brown, 85-40, on January 10. Senior forward Nicole Michael set an individual record as her 19 points surpassed the 1,500 point career mark. Three other Orange women scored in double figures, including freshman center Kayla Alexander, who reached double-digits for the fourth consecutive game with 12 points, while pulling down a team-high tying eight rebounds. Senior forwards Juanita Ward and Vionca Murray recorded 13 and 11 points, respectively, while sophomore guard Tyler Ash matched Alexander's eight rebounds.
Orange Against the Scarlet Knights
Rutgers owns a 29-4 advantage in the all-time series between the two schools, despite a 68-54 Orange victory last season. Rutgers' last victory came on March 1, 2008 when it hosted and defeated Syracuse, 64-49. SU has never won back-to-back games against the Scarlet Knight. The Scarlet Knights also hold a 16-3 record in BIG EAST regular-season matchups since they joined the league in 1995-96.
Scouting Rutgers
The Scarlet Knights are 10-6 after its 52-46 victory at rv/22 Pittsburgh on January 10. Brittany Ray led the team with 17 points, while Rashidat Junaid added a career-best 16 points. Ray has scored in double figures in 15 of 16 games this season, including the last 12, and is ranked fourth among BIG EAST leaders in scoring (17.3). She is also ranked fourth in 3-point field goal percentage (.441), fifth in both 3-pointers made per game (2.4) and third in minutes played (35.2 mpg).
