Syracuse University
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Orange Hosts Hawks In Mid-Week Matchup
11/30/2010 12:13:37 PM | Women's Basketball
| Game Four | ||
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vs. |  |
| 4-0 overall, 0-0 BIG EAST | 1-1 overall, 0-0 MEAC | |
| Game Info | Wednesday, December 1 | 7 p.m. | |
| Location | Syracuse, N.Y. | Carrier Dome | |
| Tickets | Purchase Tickets Single Game $10 | Season Tickets $90 |
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| Watch | Orange All Access | Live Stats | |
| Listen | Orange All Access | ESPN 97.7 FM | |
| Game Information | Syracuse Game Notes | UMES Notes | |
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Syracuse (4-0) embarks on the second half of its eight-game homestand when it entertains Maryland Eastern Shore (1-1) on Wednesday night in the Carrier Dome. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. The Orange enters the contest in search of its 33rd-consecutive non-conference home victory while looking to improve to 5-0 on the young season for the second time in as many years.
The game can be heard live on SU's flagship station WTLA 1200 AM and 97.7 FM (WSGO 1440 AM and 100.1 FM in Oswego) or on Syracuse's student station WJPZ 89.1 FM. Live video and audio for every Orange game is available on SUAthletics.com via Orange All Access.
Last Time Out
Sophomore center Kayla Alexander netted a career-high 24 points to lead Syracuse to an 87-46 win against New Hampshire in the Carrier Dome on Monday night. It marked the 32nd consecutive non-conference home victory for the Orange and the 26th in the Carrier Dome as the team improved to 4-0 for the second-consecutive season.
Alexander was 9-12 from the floor and 6-7 from the charity stripe in her career performance while adding four rebounds, four blocks and three steals. Senior guard Erica Morrow and freshman guard La'Shay Taft each added 12 points for the Orange. Morrow was 4-6 from the floor including a trio of threes while directing the offense with eight assists while Taft was 4-9 from behind the arc.
The Orange turned 29 New Hampshire turnovers into 33 points, led by Morrow, who had five steals in the win. Sophomore guard Elashier Hall rounded out the double-digit scorers for the squad, netting 10 points while helping to lead the defensive effort with seven rebounds. Redshirt freshman forward Shakeya Leary also had seven boards.
Career Performance
Alexander has been very impressive through the first four games of the season. The 2009-10 BIG EAST All-Rookie Team honoree leads the Orange in points (15.3), field-goal percentage (.657) and blocks (3.3) and is second in rebounds (6.8). The Milton, Ontario native netted a career-high 24 points to lead Syracuse to an 87-46 win against New Hampshire in SU's last outing. Alexander was 9-12 (.750) from the floor and 6-7 (.857) from the charity stripe in her career day while adding four rebounds, four blocks and three steals. The sophomore also registered her second career double-double in the season-opener with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
Ms. Double-Double
Guard Carmen Tyson-Thomas has recorded two double-doubles already this season. The sophomore registered a double-double in the season-opener with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Tyson-Thomas notched her fourth career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in SU's win against Long Island. The Philadelphia native is leading the Orange in rebounds (8.0) and is second in points (11.0).
Undefeated
Syracuse is 4-0 for the second consecutive season. An Orange victory against Maryland Eastern Shore will give SU a 5-0 record for the second-straight year. It would be the eighth 5-0 start in program history.
November
The Orange likes the month of November. SU has won its last 11 games in November since Nov. 26, 2008. Syracuse was perfect in the month of November for the second consecutive year. In fact, the Orange is 18-3 (.857) in November over the last four years.
December
SU has been more successful in the month of December, winning its last 22 games in December dating back to Dec. 22, 2006.
Non-Conference Success
Syracuse has won 32 consecutive non-conference home games (26 in the Carrier Dome). SU's last non-conference loss at home came on Dec. 22, 2006 against Canisius (56-43). The Orange has also won 24 straight regular-season non-conference games, back to Nov. 26, 2008.
Team Work
The Orange recorded 21 assists on 28 made baskets in its win against New Hampshire last time out. It was the most assists SU has regiatered since it also tallied 21 helpers on 31 baksets in an 85-40 victory versus Brown on Jan. 20, 2010. Syracuse is averaging 16.8 assists per game and recorded 37 in its last two outings.
Defense Has Been Impressive
Syracuse has done a great job on the defensive end of the floor so far this season. The Orange is averaging 16.0 steals per game and registered 17 in its last outing and 33 in its last two games.
SU is also forcing an average of 26.5 turnovers per game. The Syracuse defense caused 29 tunovers in its last game and 60 in its last two.
The Orange is limiting its opponents to just 49.0 points per game and held New Hampshire to 46.
Scouting UMES
Maryland Eastern Shore (1-1) is led by Casey Morton and Kwinnyata Mercer. Morton leads the Hawks in scoring (11.5) and is second in rebounds (6.5). Mercer is second on the team in scoring (10.5). Mercer has made 66.7 percent (8-12) of her field-goal attempts, including a 57.1 percent (4-7) mark from downtown.
The Hawks have made 50.0 percent (17-34) of their attempts from behind the 3-point line.
The Lady Hawks return nine letterwinners and four starters from the 2009-10 team the went 12-16.
UMES lost its last outing to Mount Saint Mary's, 65-56, on Nov. 20. Amber Cook tallied 14 points and seven rebounds while Morton had 12 and Mercer chipped in with 10. UMES was whistled for 29 fouls to just 18 for MSM and turned the ball over 21 times, resulting in 23 Mount points. UMES won the rebounding battle for the second straight game, 44-38.
Series Notes
Syracuse leads the all-time series, 2-0, including an 85-56 win in the Carrier Dome on Dec. 19, 2007 and a 68-28 victory in Princess Anne, Md. on Nov. 16, 2008.
Juanita Ward led the Orange with 20 points and 15 rebounds in its win in 2008. Chandrea Jones and Nicole Michael registered 16 and 13 points, respectively. Jones recorded her first double-double of the year with 11 rebounds in the 2007 contest.
Up Next
Syracuse continues its season-opening homestand when it hosts Delaware State in the Carrier Dome on Saturday, December 4 at noon.
