Syracuse University
DePaul University
Michael and Ward Each Post 20 at DePaul
2/27/2010 10:17:24 PM | Women's Basketball
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CHICAGO – The Syracuse women's basketball team had three players score in double-figures, but could not overcome 24 turnovers and 21 offensive rebounds as the DePaul Blue Demons defeated the Orange, 74-71, Saturday night at McGrath Arena. The loss moves the Orange to 19-9 overall and 6-9 in the BIG EAST, while DePaul improves to 19-10, 8-7.
Senior forwards Juanita Ward and Nicole Michael led the way with 20 points each and freshman guard Carmen Tyson-Thomas had 12 in her first career start. Anna Martin led the Blue Demons with a career-best 31, including 26 second-half points. Keisha Hampton posted 19 points, including 15 in the first stanza. Syracuse made 46.4 percent (26-56) of its shots to DePaul's 32.4 percent (23-71).
The Blue Demons used three 3-points to take an early 9-4 lead just four minutes into the contest. DePaul's lead grew to seven, but back-to-back field goals by Tyson-Thomas closed the gap to 14-11 with 13:58 remaining in the first half. Both teams found their rhythm and traded baskets with a jumper by freshman guard Elashier Hall pulling the Orange to within, 23-21, with 6:59 left before halftime.
Syracuse took a slim one-point lead, but a free throw by Hampton tied the score, 24-24, with 4:42 left in the half. SU closed the half with an 11-2 run fueled by five points from Michael, but a half-court heave by DePaul's Sam Quigley at the buzzer put the score at 35-29 at the break.
The Orange made 57.5 percent (15-26) of its first-half shots, but committed 13 turnovers. SU's defense held the Blue Demons to just 21.6 percent (8-37) shooting, but allowed DePaul to grab 11 offensive rebounds. Michael led Syracuse with nine, while Hampton paced DePaul with 15.
DePaul opened the second half with a 12-4 run to take the lead back, 41-39, with 15:33 remaining in the game. The Blue Demon lead grew to 49-41 as the Orange only managed to score one field goal eight minutes into the second half.
Syracuse used defense to ignite its offense and an old-fashioned 3-point play by Ward on a breakaway closed the margin to 56-54 with just 7:43 left in the contest. The Orange tied the game at 58-58, but DePaul exploded for seven consecutive points to take a 65-58 lead with 3:49 remaining in the contest. Syracuse closed to within two with 18 seconds remaining, but the Blue Demons made their free throws in the final moments to seal the win.
The Orange returns home on Monday, March 1 to host No. 8/7 West Virginia in its final regular-season contest of the year. Syracuse will honor seniors Michael, Vionca Murray, Lynnnise Nixon and Ward before the 7 p.m. tipoff. Tickets for the game are available online, by phone (1-888-DOMETIX) or in person at the Carrier Dome Box office.
