Syracuse University
University of South Florida
Harris Posts Career-High Against USF
1/16/2010 3:56:07 PM | Women's Basketball
Box Score
TAMPA- Junior Tasha Harris scored a career-best 13 points in rv/25 Syracuse's 73-64 loss at USF in the Sun Dome on Saturday afternoon. Harris was one of five players to notch a double-digit point total for the Orange, shooting 5-for-9 from the floor and 3-for-5 from three-point range.
“It is tough to go on the road,” head coach Quentin Hillsman said. “We're going to take this, go back home, work on it and get ready for Providence on Tuesday.”
Senior Juanita Ward led SU both offensively and defensively, leading the team with 15 points and nine rebounds. Junior Erica Morrow and freshman Kayla Alexander both matched 11 points with four rebounds, while Morrow directed the offense with three assists.
Senior Nicole Michael rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Orange, posting 10 points, three rebounds and a pair of assists. Syracuse was without Michael for the latter part of the first half and early second half due to foul trouble.
“When you get Nicole Michael off the floor for a long period of time, you're not going to win,” Hillsman said. “She is one of our go to players and going without her puts us in a tough spot. We had to put people in some different spots today without her. We need her on the floor to win.”
Harris opened the scoring with a three, but USF responded with a 10-0 run to take a quick 10-3 lead with 18:05 remaining in the first half.
Trailing, 13-5, the Orange responded, scoring six unanswered points to pull within two, 13-11. Syracuse continued to push, knotting the game, 19-19, on a Morrow three with 7:45 left in the half.
The hosts responded with a 9-2 run to reclaim the lead, 26-21, with 4:48 remaining before the break. USF continued to drive, maintaining a steady lead of at least two points until closing out the half with a 32-28 advantage.
The Bulls came on strong out of intermission, using a 7-2 run to take a nine-point lead, 39-30. Syracuse responded with a 10-4 run, sparked by a Harris trifecta. The scoring spurt, which included five points by Ward, pulled the Orange within three, 43-40, with 14:27 remaining in regulation.
The South Florida offense refused to relent, putting together a 12-4 run, which included a trio of three's, to take its largest lead of the game, 58-48, with 7:22 left to play.
Morrow netted a layup off a steal to pull the Orange within three, 61-58, with 4:23 remaining, but the Bulls continued to drive, finishing the game on a 12-6 run to secure the 73-64 victory.
Syracuse continues its road swing when it visits Providence on Tuesday, January 19 with tipoff set for 7 p.m.
