Syracuse University
University of Notre Dame
Irish Snaps Orange's Winning Streak
2/1/2011 9:19:05 PM | Women's Basketball
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Final Stats | Postgame Interviews
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SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Sophomore Kayla Alexander led all scorers with 19 points in #RV/25 Syracuse's 71-48 setback to No. 8/8 Notre Dame (19-4, 8-1) on Tuesday, February 1 in South Bend, Ind. The loss snaps the Orange's (16-5, 4-4) three-game winning streak.
Alexander was 5-for-9 from the field and 9-for-11 from the free-throw line. She also pulled down five rebounds and had a blocked shot. Junior Isia Hemingway added nine points for the Orange, while senior Erica Morrow finished with eight points.
Notre Dame scored the first five points of the game and jumped out to a 13-2 lead with 15:22 left in the half. Six straight points by Alexander and a three-point play by Hemingway brought Syracuse to within eight at 19-11, but Notre Dame responded with a 11-0 scoring outburst to take its largest lead of the opening half at 30-11 at the 5:30 mark. A jumper by Hemingway halted the run and started the Orange on a 5-1 scoring run that brought SU to within 13, 31-18 with 2:31 remaining in the half. Morrow had a three-pointer during the run, which was capped by redshirt freshman Shakeya Leary's jumper. Notre Dame scored four straight points before senior Tasha Harris hit a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 34-20 at the break.
The Fighting Irish opened the second half with a 12-2 scoring run and took its largest lead of the game of 27, 54-27, with 11:29 left in the game. The Orange fought back, outscoring Notre Dame, 6-1, during the next 2:30. Leary started the scoring run with a basket, before Hemingway hit a pair of free throws. Freshman La'Shay Taft's free throws cut the lead to 55-35 with 8:43 remaining, but the Orange could get no closer as Notre Dame went on to the 71-48 victory.
Syracuse struggled from the field, shooting 25.5 percent (13-for-51) and committed 24 turnovers. Note Dame outrebounded the Orange, 44-34. Three Fighting Irish players scored in double figures, led by Devereaux Peters' 15 points.
Syracuse is on the road again on Sunday, February 6 when it plays at Rutgers at noon. The game will be televised on ESPNU.
