No. 3 Duke Outpaces 'Cuse, 86-53

Thursday, January 9

Syracuse, N.Y.

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

11-4, 0-2

Duke

15-1, 2-0

Duke

Syracuse

1/9/2014 9:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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SYRACUSE, N.Y.—The Syracuse women's basketball team (11-4, 0-2 ACC) was outpaced by No. 3 Duke (15-1, 2-0 ACC), 86-53, losing for the first time at home this season on Thursday night in the Carrier Dome.

The Orange is back in action in the Dome on Sunday at 1 p.m. when SU takes on Georgia Tech.

"I have to give Duke a lot of credit," head coach Quentin Hillsman said. "They are a very good basketball team. They played really well and they really pushed tempo. They attacked us, they made shots. They did a phenomenal job tonight of just being who they are."

Brianna Butler led Syracuse with 14 points, going 4-12 from beyond the arc. Shakeya Leary was a basket shy of a double-double, scoring eight points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Brittney Sykes also scored eight points, all in the first half.

Tricia Liston led the Blue Devils with 20 points and six Duke players scored in double-digits. Elizabeth Williams recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

As a team, Duke shot 55.9 percent from the field, the highest of any SU opponent this season, and 50 percent from 3-point range. Syracuse shot 27.9 percent overall, its lowest mark this year.

The Blue Devils scored 56 of its points in the paint and outrebounded the Orange, 46-38. They also performed well in transition, scoring 29 points off turnovers and 25 fast break points.

The Orange started the game with a 13-4 run over the first 2:20 but Duke answered with a run of its own, outscoring Syracuse 23-8 over the next 7:35 including an 11-0 stretch to take the lead. The scoring evened to finish out the half and SU went into the locker room trailing the Blue Devils, 43-34. Butler scored 11 points in the opening 20 minutes, hitting three baskets from long range.

Duke pulled away in the second half, going on runs of 7-0 and 11-0 to increase its lead. Williams was the leading scorer for the Blue Devils in the second stanza with 10 points.

Sunday's ACC matinee against the Yellow Jackets will be Daughter Day at the Dome, with t-shirt giveaways, an autograph session post-game and more.