Syracuse University
University of Richmond
Orange Faces Richmond in WNIT Second Round
3/21/2010 5:42:41 PM | Women's Basketball
Read Game Notes
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse University women's basketball team (23-10) hosts the Richmond Spiders (20-12) in the second round of the WNIT at Manley Field House on Monday, March 22 at 7 p.m. It marks the second consecutive season the Orange has won a postseason game in the WNIT after it recorded its first postseason victory in program history against Canisius last season, 90-65. It is SU's third postseason appearance in four years under the direction of head coach Quentin Hillsman.
Tickets for SU's game against the Richmond Spiders will go on sale at the Carrier Dome Box Office at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 19, as well as at the door. Patrons may also call the Box Office at 888-DOMETIX and press “0”. All tickets will be general admission and sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $5 for students or youth 12 and under.
Fans can tune to SU's flagship station WTLA 97.7 FM and 1200 AM (WSGO 1440 AM and 100.1 FM in Oswego) or Syracuse's student station, WJPZ 89.1 FM. Live audio for every Orange game is available via Orange All Access.
Syracuse in the Postseason
SU's 87-68 win against Harvard in the first round of the WNIT on March 18 was its second postseason victory after it secured its first last season in the opening around of the WNIT against Canisius. The Orange is making its second consecutive appearance in the National Invitation Tournament after going 1-1 last season. It has had a player record a double-double in each of its three NIT games, including freshman guard Carmen Tyson-Thomas, who recorded 17 points and 13 rebounds against Harvard. Junior guard Erica Morrow is averaging 15.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.7 steals in the NIT, while senior forward Nicole Michael is averaging a double-double with 12.0 points and 10.3 rebounds to go along with 1.0 blocks and 1.0 steals.
Last Time Out
The Orange broke the school record for most wins in a season since SU began competing in the NCAA in 1981-82 with its 87-68 victory against Harvard on March 18 in the WNIT at Manley Field House. The SU freshmen were a force to be reckoned with as center Kayla Alexander continued her success off the SU bench, leading the team with 22 points, while guard Carmen Tyson-Thomas registered her second career double-double with a career-best 17 points and game-high 13 rebounds. The Orange crushed the Crimson on the glass, 50-26, while forcing 10 turnovers to Harvard's four.
Orange Against the Spiders
This is the first meeting between Syracuse and Richmond. The Orange is 3-0 against first-time opponents this season after defeating Presbyterian College (97-56), Alabama State (74-66) and Wagner (93-55).
Scouting Richmond
The Spiders cruised to its 20th win of the season with a dominating 67-49 victory against Delaware in the first round of the WNIT on March 18. Brittani Shells and Abby Oliver scored 18 points, while Danielle Bell contributed a season-high 15 points on 3-of-4 3-point shooting. Shells was selected to the 2010 Atlantic 10 All-Conference first team and All-Conference Defensive team for the second straight year, while Oliver was tabbed the Sixth Player of the Year. Shells led Richmond and the A-10 in scoring at 16.9 points per game and has scored team-high points in all but seven games this season. Oliver follows with 10.3 points per game this year and has reached double-figures in 10 of the past 11 games. As a team, Richmond ranks first in the conference and 22nd in the nation in steals per game (10.6).
