SU Rolls Past Friars On The Road, 80-54

Tuesday, January 31

Providence, R.I.

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

Providence

Rachel Coffey had 13 points on Tuesday for SU, two shy of tying her career high

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

1/31/2012 7:48:32 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score | Season Stats

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Leading by 15 points at halftime, the Syracuse women's basketball team (14-9, 3-6) would build its advantage to as many as 31 en route to an 80-54 victory on the road at Providence (12-10, 4-5) on Tuesday night at Alumni Hall. Syracuse was a perfect 23-of-23 from the free throw line, setting a BIG EAST single game record, surpassing the 22-of-22 mark set by West Virginia in 2001.

Iasia Hemingway led SU in scoring for the 10th time with season with 24 points as one of five Orange players in double-figures.

The Orange dominated the glass throughout the contest with a 39-20 edge, including a game-high eight from Kayla Alexander, who also added 10 points. Shakeya Leary had a career-high 15 points off the bench, while Rachel Coffey was perfect from the floor (4-of-4), contributing 13 points to reach double-figures for the second time this season. Carmen Tyson-Thomas had 11.

"The girls played really well, I'm really proud of their effort," head coach Quentin Hillsman said. "I thought Rachel (Coffey) shot the ball really well. She played a masterful game today."

An 8-0 run midway through the first half, combined with a 23-9 rebounding advantage, gave Syracuse a 38-23 halftime edge. The Orange shot 55.6 percent in the opening 20 minutes, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, while holding the Friars to 33.3 percent shooting.

The Orange jumped out to a 17-7 lead 10 minutes in, dominating the boards to that point, 14-4 and Hemingway leading the way with six points.

Elashier Hall drained a 3-pointer with 8:27 left in the half to up the Orange lead to 20-7 and Tyson-Thomas later scored five-straight points to give SU its largest lead of the half, 18 points, 29-11 with 5:38 left.

Syracuse would continue its hot shooting to start the second half, beginning on an 8-0 run in the opening 1:40 to take a commanding 21-point lead at 46-23, prompting an early timeout by the Friars.

SU maintained a stranglehold on the game, shooting 11-of-18 (61.1 percent) during the final 20 minutes, its highest second half shooting performance of the season. Teya Wright would score 15 points to lead Providence in an effort to close the gap, but the Friars could not overcome SU's offensive momentum.

Syracuse will return to the Carrier Dome on Saturday to host South Florida at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are available online, at the Carrier Dome Ticket Office (Gate B) or by calling 1-888-DOME-TIX.

NOTES: The last time SU was 100 percent at the free throw line was a 12-of-12 effort at Cincinnati on Feb. 26, 2007 ... The previous BIG EAST free throw record was set on Feb. 27, 2001 by WVU at BC (22-22) ... The Orange set a season-high in field goal percentage at .578 (26-45), surpassing its .508 (31-61) mark against Ohio on Dec. 20 ... It was also the first time the Orange shot over 50 percent in both halves of a game this season ... With six free throws made, Kayla Alexander (352)passed Julie McBride (348) for third on the SU career list ... Alexander's (1,248) 10 points moved her within six of Paula Moore (1,254) for ninth on the SU career list ... Skakeya Leary scored a career-high 15 points, surpassing the 14 she scored vs. Coppin State on Dec. 10 ... Carmen Tyson-Thomas did not start for the first time this season due to a uniform issue just prior to tip-off ... Phylesha Bullard made her second career start in Tyson-Thomas' place ... Bullard played a career-high 33 minutes.