Syracuse University
University of Richmond
Orange Makes Record Books, Wins Two Consecutive Postseason Games
3/22/2010 9:31:31 PM | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Coach Hillsman Quotes | Player Quotes
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse University women's basketball team (24-10) won its second consecutive postseason game for the first time in program history when it defeated Richmond (20-13), 69-55, on Monday evening at Manley Field House. The victory extended SU's record to 24 wins, which is the most in a single-season since the NCAA era began in the 1981-82 season. It was SU's fifth postseason game under the direction of fourth-year head coach Quentin Hillsman.
The Orange was led by senior forward Nicole Michael, who recorded her 25th double-digit game this season with 18 points and six rebounds, while junior guard Erica Morrow backed her with 16 points and a game-high tying five assists.
The Spiders scored nine of its first 11 points on 3-pointers, while using eight Orange turnovers in the first 7:37 to hold a 13-6 lead. Syracuse did not seem fazed, going on an 8-0 run to tie things up at 13-13 with 8:22 remaining in the half. Richmond's Danielle Bell nailed her first 3-pointer of the night to give the Spiders its largest lead, 23-15, but sophomore guard Elashier Hall made it a close five point game, 25-20, with 3:18 left.
Richmond missed three free throws, which allowed Syracuse to close the gap, 25-23, with 75 ticks remaining, but it was the turnovers that continued to plague Syracuse, as it committed two miscues in less than 20 seconds to give the Spiders the ball and allow the 29-23 halftime deficit. Turnovers were the point of main concern for both teams, as there were 24 in the first half alone.
Following two free throws, Michael accounted for SU's first basket of the second half as she made a jumper with 18:07 on the clock. Fellow senior forward Juanita Ward followed suit, making two consecutive layups to even things up yet again, 31-31, with 17:12 left. Feeling threatened, Richmond's Brittani Shells made a jumper, while Michael made two more freebies to maintain the tie game, 33-33. The Spiders broke the tie with a 3-pointer, but the Orange caught back up as Morrow was fouled on a drive to the basket, allowing the fourth tie of the contest, 38-38, with 11:46 remaining.
Syracuse took its first lead of the night after freshman center Kayla Alexander delivered two free throws at 10:38 to hold the slim 40-39 edge. Morrow extended the lead with a jumper at 9:42, while freshman guard Carmen Tyson-Thomas fed off SU's momentum swing with a jumper seconds later to give the Orange a 44-39 lead with 9:10 left. The Orange maintained at least a three point lead during the next three minutes before breaking open to a 54-44 lead with 4:38 left, but Richmond would not go quietly, as it came within five before Michael hit a 3-pointer to make the score 59-51 with less than two minutes left. Despite the Spiders last-minute efforts to catch up, it could not overcome the deficit as it settled with a 69-55 final score.
The Orange will make its first trip to the third round of the WNIT when it hosts Virginia Commonwealth on Friday, March 26 at 7 p.m. at Manley Field House. Tickets for SU's game against the VCU Rams will go on sale at the Carrier Dome Box Office at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 23, 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.
