Syracuse University
University of Connecticut
Orange Ends BIG EAST Tournament Run Against UConn
3/7/2010 4:37:11 PM | Women's Basketball
Box Score
HARTFORD, Conn. – The Syracuse University women's basketball team (22-10, 7-9) ended its BIG EAST Tournament run as it lost, 77-41, in the quarterfinals to No. 1 Connecticut (31-0, 17-0) on Sunday afternoon at the XL Center. Freshman center Kayla Alexander directed the offense with 11 points and seven rebounds, which paled in comparison to UConn's Tina Charles, who matched a career-high with 34 points. With the win, the Huskies matched the longest NCAA Division I winning streak in women's basketball history with 70 consecutive victories.
The Orange struggled in field goal shooting, making just 21.2 percent (14-66) of its shots to Connecticut's 51.6 percent (33-64). Neither team relied on its perimeter shooting, but SU held the slim 20 percent (3-15) advantage in 3-point field goals to UConn's 7.7 percent (1-13). The Huskies' defense accounted for 14 steals, while forcing 19 Syracuse turnovers to aid in its victory.
UConn set the pace from the beginning of a game as it went on a 7-0 run to open up the scoring. Connecticut didn't allow an Orange basket until 17:29 and continued to dominate the scoreboard, going on a 10-0 run in the next four minutes until Alexander gave Syracuse its second layup of the afternoon to make it a 17-4 game with 13:24 before the break. UConn took the 20-point lead following a jumper by Charles with 7:40 remaining in the half and managed to stretch its lead 27, as it ended the half with an overwhelming 44-17 advantage.
The Huskies did not let up in the second half as it went on a 6-0 run, while holding Syracuse scoreless until senior forward Vionca Murray put in a layup with 16:53 on the clock to make the score 50-19. The Orange scored just eight points in the next five minutes, while the Huskies continued to roll, 61-27, with 11:08 left in the game. Connecticut expanded it to a 40-point game, 74-34, after a free throw by Alexander at 3:39, which SU could not overcome as it settled with the 77-41 final score.
