Syracuse University
Providence College
SU Advances to BIG EAST Quarterfinals
3/6/2010 5:17:53 PM | Women's Basketball
Box Score | Highlights | Tournament Central
HARTFORD, Conn. – Junior Erica Morrow led Syracuse with 24 points and freshman Kayla Alexander added 16 in a BIG EAST Championship second round victory against the Providence College Friars on Saturday, March 6 in Hartford, Conn. The victory marks the first time the Orange women have won two games at the BIG EAST Tournament since the 2002 season, when SU beat West Virginia and Notre Dame. Ninth-seeded Syracuse will play No. 1 Connecticut on Sunday at 2 p.m. in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.
The victory improves Syracuse's record to 22-9, which ties the school record for the most victories in a season since SU began competing in the NCAA in 1981-82. The Orange also had 22 wins during the 2007-08 and 1987-88 seasons.
Alexander's 16 points marks the 16th time she has reached double-figures in scoring this season. She also pulled down nine rebounds and blocked five shots in 23 minutes.
Morrow gave the Orange the lead for good, 55-52, hitting a jump shot 11:09 remaining in the game. Morrow scored seven of SU's last 21 points, including four free throws in the final 1:16 of the contest. Senior Juanita Ward added six of her 13 points in the last three minutes. Ward also grabbed nine rebounds and had two steals for the Orange.
Syracuse was 8-for-10 from the free throw line in the final three and a half minutes of the game, including a perfect 4-for-4 from senior Vionca Murray.
In the first half, Syracuse answered an early 11-4 Providence run with a 10-2 run to take the lead, 14-13, with 12:45 left in the opening period. Alexander scored six points in that stretch.
After the teams traded baskets for the next seven minutes, the Orange opened a six point lead, 28-22, on a pair of free throws by sophomore Tyler Ash with 5:31 remaining. Ash added five rebounds, one steal and one assist in the game.
Senior Nicole Michael tied the game at 35, hitting a pair of free throws with four seconds remaining in the first half. Michael, who missed SU's first round win against Seton Hall with an ankle injury, scored 12 points and grabbed four rebounds in the game.
Syracuse will take on UConn for the second time this season on Sunday. The Huskies defeated the Orange, 87-66, on February 24 in Syracuse.
