rv/rv St. John's Defeats Orange, 70-58

Wednesday, January 11

Carrier Dome

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

St. John's

Kayla Alexander had 21 second half points as the Orange cut the SJU lead to four late in the second half.

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

1/11/2012 7:41:08 PM | Women's Basketball

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SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Trailing by as many as 17 in the second half, the Syracuse women's basketball team (12-6, 1-3) cut the deficit to four with 6:26 remaining in regulation, but could not complete the comeback as rv/rv St. John's (10-6, 3-1) defeated the Orange, 70-58, on Wednesday night at the Carrier Dome. Kayla Alexander led all scorers with 22 points (21 in the second half).

Despite its lowest first half shooting performance (22%) and point total (18) of the season, Syracuse responded by going 16-of-33 (49%) in the second half to spark a comeback.

“We have to give two halves of effort to win these basketball games,” head coach Quentin Hillsman said. “You can't come out and not play for the first seven or eight minutes and expect to win. We didn't play a very good basketball game tonight, but we're going to continue to work hard.”

Four players scored in double-figures for the Red Storm, led by Shenneika Smith's 17 points on 6-of-12 from the floor. SJU used its speed to its advantage, generating 16 fast break points to SU's four.

St. John's opened the game on a 9-0 run, including back-to-back jumpers from Smith. The Orange was held without a field goal for the first 5:27 of the first half (0-of-8) before Carmen Tyson-Thomas (six points) got into the scoring column with a layup following a dish from Alexander.

With the Red Storm leading by 12 with less than eight minutes to play, SU began to claw its way back into the contest thanks to a 9-3 run, capped by a jumper by Shanee Williams (six points) from the right side.

Iasia Hemingway (seven points) led the charge for the Orange early in the second half, delivering consecutive layups to cut the deficit to nine. SJU would respond, however, with seven straight points highlighted by a three-point play from Da'Shena Stevens after a layup high off the glass. Stevens added a career high seven assists.

Syracuse would focus its attention inside to Alexander midway through the second half, and she responded with nine straight Orange points during an 11-2 SU run, making it an eight point game at 44-36.

SU closed the gap to four with 6:26 left in regulation with a 10-0 run as Alexander and La'Shay Taft combined for five points apiece.

St. John's would salt the game away late by hitting its 12 of its final 13 free throws, including four straight from Nadirah McKenith.

Syracuse will continue BIG EAST play on Sunday as the Orange travel to Georgetown for a noon tip.

NOTES: Alexander recorded her team-leading sixth 20+ point game of the season with 22 … With a 43-33 rebounding advantage, Syracuse has now out-rebounded 15 of 18 opponents this season … The Orange grabbed 15 offensive rebounds, leading to a 16-7 edge in second chance points … Taft's two 3-pointers give her a team-leading 22 on the season … SU's bench outscored the St. John's bench, 21-12 … The all-time series with St. John's is 28-26 in favor of the Orange, 4-3 under Hillsman.