Syracuse University
Seton Hall University
Orange Sinks Pirates, 79-38
1/5/2010 10:01:03 PM | Women's Basketball
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. – The rv/rv Syracuse University women's basketball team had its first BIG EAST victory of the season when it routed Seton Hall, 79-38, on Tuesday evening. The 41-point win is Syracuse's largest BIG EAST margin of victory in history and most since it defeated West Virginia, 93-54, in the 2000-01 season. SU is now 13-1 on the season, which matches its 2007-08 record when it also began the season 13-1.
“We knew the last game wasn't us,” said head coach Quentin Hillsman. “We said were going to come out and play hard and compete. The kids were a little upset with our last game when we lost in front of our home crowd. We had a very good game plan. I give all the credit to our kids and our staff.”
Freshman center Kayla Alexander shot 7-of-8 from the floor and made 4-of-6 from the charity stripe for a team-best 18 points. Senior forward Juanita Ward matched Alexander's 18 points while the two teamed up to anchor the SU defense with a team-high seven rebounds each. It is the 10th time Alexander has reached double-digits this season, while she has led the team in scoring a team-best six times. She has scored 35 points in the first two conference games of her career, including 17 points against Georgetown.
Syracuse shot 54.7 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from behind the arc, while SHU made only 22.6 percent of its field goals and was held to 15.4 percent from 3-point range. SU held the 38-8 advantage in points in the paint and scored 28 points off of 21 Pirate turnovers.
The Orange also shut down Ebonie Williams, who went into Tuesday's matchup with a team-best 14.8 points per game average. She was held to a season-low two points against Syracuse.
Junior guard Erica Morrow put Syracuse on the board first with a layup within the first minute, while the Pirates didn't score until the 17:46 mark with a 3-ball from Nicole Emery. SU and Seton Hall continued to exchange baskets, tying the game twice within the first five minutes, but a 3-pointer by freshman guard Carmen Tyson-Thomas put the Orange on top for good, 12-11, with 12:16 left in the first. Seton Hall brought it within five, 23-18, with 6:35 remaining, but a layup by Alexander sparked a 12-0 run to increase SU's separation, 35-18, with 3:23 left. The Orange continued to build its advantage to 23 with 41 ticks left in the first before closing out the half with a 21-point lead, 42-21.
Syracuse maintained a double-digit lead throughout the remainder of the game with an even spread of points in the second half. Consecutive free throws by senior forward Nicole Michael put the Orange up 30, 64-34, at the 8:23 mark and the Orange ended the game on a 15-4 run to settle the 79-38 victory.
Syracuse concludes its non-conference slate when it welcomes Brown to the Carrier Dome on Sunday, January 10 at 7 p.m.
