#23 Syracuse Defeats Clemson, 60-55

Thursday, February 26

Clemson, S.C.

7 p.m.

Syracuse University

21-8, 11-5ACC

Clemson

9-19, 1-14ACC

Syracuse

Clemson

2/26/2015 9:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Orange can earn fourth seed at ACC Tournament with Duke loss

CLEMSON, S.C. – The No. 23/RV Syracuse University women's basketball team closed the 2014-15 regular season with a 60-55 victory at Clemson on Thursday night. Four different players scored in double-figures to pace the Orange in its regular season finale.

"When you are on the road in a BCS power conference and you get a W, you are going to take it," head coach Quentin Hillsman stated. "To finish 11-5 in the ACC and to finish it up on the road; you know they were going to be tough on Senior Day. It was their last home game, so we were expecting to battle."

Clemson (9-19, 1-14) rallied at the end, making it a one-point game with 1:21 remaining in regulation. Syracuse (21-8, 11-5) would play the spoiler, thanks to a jumper from sophomore guard Alexis Peterson and lay-up from junior guard Cornelia Fondren to seal the win.

With the victory, the Orange locked up the fifth seed for the upcoming Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament. The team can earn the fourth seed if Duke was to lose to rival North Carolina on Sunday.

Peterson led the team in scoring for the 12th time this season, tallying 18 points against the Tigers. Fondren had 13 points, one shy of her personal-best, and junior guard Brianna Butler had 12 points, her sixth-straight contest with at least 10 points.

Sophomore center Briana Day set the program single-season rebounds record on Thursday. Day now has 305 rebounds on the year, surpassing Martha Mogish's 301 boards from the 1980-81 campaign. The Raleigh, N.C. native tallied her 13th double-double of the season, recording 10 points and 10 rebounds.

To start off the game, Syracuse knocked down its first three shot attempts, including two 3-point field goals to take an 8-0 advantage. Butler and Peterson each tallied one from long range in the opening 48 seconds of the contest.

The Tigers twice got within three points off the visiting Orange, but each time their run was stymied and Syracuse went into the locker room with a 10-point advantage, leading 33-23. It was a balanced effort for the visitors as four different players tallied at least six points in the opening 20 minutes. Fondren and Peterson each finished the half with a team-high seven points.

Out of the halftime intermission, Syracuse was able to extend its lead 16 points with 15:01 remaining in regulation. Clemson would claw back on its Senior Night, slowly cutting into the Orange's advantage. The Tigers made it a one-point game late, but ultimately never led for the entire contest as Syracuse recorded a five-point victory.

With the completion of the regular season, the Syracuse women's basketball team will begin postseason play next week at the ACC Tournament. As the fifth seed, Syracuse would play its first game of the conference tournament on Thursday, March 5 at 11 a.m. in Greensboro, N.C. If it were to earn the fourth seed, the Orange would open the conference tournament on Friday, March 6 at 11 a.m.