Syracuse Stifles ECU, 69-58

Thursday, November 27

Freeport, Bahamas

2 p.m.

Syracuse University

4-0

East Carolina

5-1

ECU

Syracuse

Photo by: Tim Cowie

11/27/2014 4:46:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Orange advances to championship game of Junkanoo Jam Lucaya Division

FREEPORT, Bahamas – The No. 22 Syracuse University women's basketball team advanced to the championship game of the Junkanoo Jam Lucaya Division with a 69-58 victory against East Carolina on Thursday afternoon at St. George's High School Gymnasium. The Orange will take on No. 1/2 South Carolina on Friday night at 8 p.m.

"There's no question, we did a good job of competing the whole game," head coach Quentin Hillsman said. "We knew they would come after us. We knew they would play tough. We did a really good job of controlling the tempo, getting good shoots."

Sophomore guard Alexis Peterson led the way, matching her career-best with 19 points on the day. Classmate Briana Day recorded her second double-double of the 2014-15 season, tallying 13 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Junior guard Brianna Butler also finished with 13 points, knocking down three 3-point field goals. In total, a season-best four players scored in double-figures for the Orange (4-0).

East Carolina (5-1) jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the first three minutes of play. Syracuse responded with a 14-0 run over the next three minutes of play, taking a 16-6 lead. Butler recorded two 3-point field goals during that stretch.

A Pirates bucket with 13:27 remaining in the first half would cut the Orange's lead to eight points. After a 3-point field goal from junior forward Taylor Ford, Syracuse would hold a lead of at least 10 points for the remainder of the game.

The Orange put together a phenomenal first half, owning a 47-27 advantage at the break. It matched the most points scored by Syracuse in the first half during the 2014-15 season. The club shot 44.1 percent from the field, making 15-of-34 shots. In addition, the team shot well from beyond the arc, making 6-of-11 3-point field goals.

East Carolina would combat in the second half, but could not get close enough as the Orange cruised to its fourth straight win of year. It marks the sixth straight season that the team has opened its campaign with four consecutive victories.

Syracuse will complete its stay at the Bahamas on Friday night in the championship game of the Junkanoo Jam Lucaya Division. The Orange will play No. 1/2 South Carolina in the tournament final at 8 p.m.