Syracuse Takes on #9 Baylor Friday

No. 19/22 Syracuse (8-1) vs. No 9/9 Baylor (8-1)
Game Details: Friday, Dec. 19 | 7 p.m.
Location: Warden Arena | Orlando, Fla.
Game Coverage: Live Stats | Audio | Video | @Cuse Twitter | @CuseWBB Twitter
Game Notes: Syracuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The No. 19/22 Syracuse University women's basketball team takes on two nationally-ranked opponents at the Florida Sunshine Classic in Orlando, Fla. this upcoming weekend. Syracuse takes on No. 9/9 Baylor on Friday night at 7 p.m. in Warden Arena on the campus of Rollins College. On Sunday afternoon, the Orange closes the event against No. 18/21 Michigan State at 4 p.m.

In its latest game, Syracuse defeated in-state foe Canisius, 70-37. The Orange recorded 67 rebounds on the night, one shy of the program record. Five different players recorded at least five rebounds against the Golden Griffins.

No. 9/9 Baylor and No. 18/21 Michigan State mark the second and third nationally-ranked teams that Syracuse will face during the 2014-15 season. The Orange played No. 1/2 South Carolina earlier in the year at the Junkanoo Jam, suffering a 67-63 setback.

Peterson Performs
In her first season as a full-time starter, sophomore guard Alexis Peterson has thrived. She currently leads the squad in scoring, averaging 13.3 points per game. In addition, she ranks first on the club with seven games scoring in double-figures. Peterson ranks 18th in the ACC in points per game.

Peterson has proven to be a strong presence on both ends of the court. She leads the ACC in assists, averaging 5.0 helpers per contest and ranks 47th in the country. The sophomore guard also records 2.33 steals per game, which ranks fifth in the conference. She owns a 2.05 assist turnover ratio, the seventh-best mark in the league and ranks 71st in the nation.

At the Junkanoo Jam, Peterson put on a show en route to All-Junkanoo Jam Team accolades. Against East Carolina on Nov. 27, she matched her career-high with 19 points on the day. She came right back with a great showing against No. 1/2 South Carolina on the very next day. In a personal-best 40 minutes, she dished out nine assists and pulled down six rebounds, both of which were career-highs, in a last-minute loss to the Gamecocks.

In her second start of her collegiate career, sophomore guard Alexis Peterson had a career-day in the season-opening victory against Fordham on Nov. 16. Peterson led the team with a personal-best 19 points against the Rams. She made a career-best eight field goals on the day, as well.

Against The Best
With two nationally-ranked teams on the slate this weekend, Syracuse will play a nationally-ranked opponent for the second and third time this year. The Orange faces No. 9/9 Baylor on Friday night and then plays No. 18/21 Michigan State to close the Florida Sunshine Classic on Sunday afternoon.

In its last game against a ranked opponent, Syracuse took No. 1/2 South Carolina to the wire at the Junkanoo Jam earlier this year. The Orange led with two minutes remaining against the top-ranked Gamecocks, but ultimately suffered a 67-63 setback.

Under head coach Quentin Hillsman, Syracuse owns a 10-44 mark (.185) against top-25 competition. The team's latest win against a top-25 team came on Jan. 30, 2014 against No. 6/6 North Carolina. The Orange recorded a 78-73 victory on the road in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Series Breakdown
Friday night marks the second time Syracuse and Baylor will meet all-time. The two teams first met on Dec. 21, 2010 with the Lady Bears coming out on top, 77-43. Baylor was led by First Team All-American Brittney Griner, who currently stars on the Phoenix Mercury.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Alexis Peterson

Syracuse University Athletics