#25/24 Syracuse Bests Wake Forest, 73-62

Thursday, January 15

Syracuse, N.Y.

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

12-5, 2-2

Wake Forest

9-9, 0-4

Wake Forest

Syracuse

1/15/2015 10:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Sophomore guard Alexis Peterson scored a personal-best 32 points to fuel the No. 25/24 Syracuse University women's basketball team to a 73-62 victory against Wake Forest on Thursday night in the Carrier Dome. It marked the most points scored by an Orange since Kayla Alexander tallied 34 points against Villanova on March 10, 2013.

"Obviously, the game was Alexis Peterson tonight," head coach Quentin Hillsman said. "She won the game for us, period. I thought that was a game where we knew she would get pressured full-court. They really got after her with the full-court and tried to push tempo on her and speed her up, but she did an unbelievable job of handling the ball. This is the best point guard performance of my nine years here by far, not even close."

Peterson was an efficient 10-of-15 from the field against the Demon Deacons (9-9, 0-4). It marked the most field goals made by a Syracuse (12-5, 2-2) player this season. In addition, she scored in double-figures for the 10th straight game and became the first Orange to crack the 30-point plateau since Brittney Sykes had 31 points against Virginia Tech on Feb. 6, 2014.

"She was amazing," added Hillsman. "I guess when you get into a situation when you have a game that comes down to just who's going to make a play and who is not, I think she's our best player to make plays. I think she has established herself as whenever we need something to happen, she's going to make it happen. I don't know what else to say, but it was a tremendous game."

Sophomore center Briana Day had a tremendous day, as well. The Raleigh, N.C. native scored six points, pulled down 13 rebounds, and matched her career-best with seven blocked shots. It marked her 10th game with at least 10 boards this year.

The Orange defense was impressive in the early going. The visiting Demon Deacons committed eight turnovers and was held without a field goal for the opening 10:04 of competition, which led to a 15-3 Syracuse advantage. Peterson has nine points during that stretch, as well.

Peterson could not be contained in the first half. The Columbus, Ohio native notched 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting. Day was a force in the opening 20 minutes, as well. Day pulled down seven rebounds and had six blocked shots.

After the first half, Syracuse held a 32-24 lead. Wake Forest exited intermission and tallied the first four points of the second period. The host Orange responded with a 6-0 run to make it a 10-point contest with 17:42 to go.

A lay-up from junior forward Taylor Ford would give the club 45-34 lead with 13:33 to play. Wake Forest would go on an 8-2 run to make it a five-point game at the 10:07 mark.

The ensuing minutes would present a back-and-forth affair until another Demon Deacons run. The visitors scored six straight points to make it a 59-57 contest with three minutes remaining.

The Orange turned to Peterson in crunch time. She would knock down a 3-point field goal, make a driving lay-up, and complete a 3-point play to put the club back ahead nine points with less than one minute to go. With that, the Orange would even its record in conference play with a 73-62 win.

The Syracuse University women's basketball team hits the road in its next contest when it travels to Boston College on Sunday. The game is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. in Chestnut Hills, Mass.