#22 Syracuse Heads to Virginia Thursday

No. 22 Syracuse (18-6, 8-3) at Virginia (13-11, 3-7)
Game Details: Thursday, February 11 | 7:00 p.m.
Location: John Paul Jones Arena | Charlottesville, Va.
Game Coverage: Live Stats | Audio | Video | @CuseWBB Twitter
Television: Regional Sports Networks
Game Notes: Syracuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The No. 23 Syracuse University women's basketball team hits the road for Charlottesville, Va. when it takes on Virginia on Thursday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. in John Paul Jones Arena.

Thursday's game will be televised on the Regional Sports Networks and Tom Werme (pbp) and Debbie Antonelli (analyst) will be on the call. Brian Higgins '04 (pbp) will be on the call live on the Syracuse IMG Sports Network. As always, follow @CuseWBB on Twitter for live in-game updates.

In its last contest, Syracuse defeated Georgia Tech, 71-52, on Feb. 7 in the Carrier Dome. The Orange defense forced 35 turnovers and notched 22 steals against the Yellow Jackets. It marked the most steals the team has recorded in Atlantic Coast Conference play this season.

Virginia enters Thursday's contest with a 13-11 overall mark and 3-7 record in conference competition. In the Cavaliers' last game, the squad suffered a 66-46 loss at the hands of in-state rival Virginia Tech on Feb. 7. Sophomore guard Mikayla Venson paces the team with 15.1 points per game.

Owning the Turnover Battle
The Orange boast one of the top turnover margins in the country in 2015-16. Syracuse currently ranks first in the Atlantic Coast Conference and leads the country in turnover margin, owning a 11.42 advantage in the turnover department against its opposition.

Per usual under head coach Quentin Hillsman, the team has been disruptive on the defensive end. Syracuse currently averages 25.92 turnovers forced per contest, which ranks first in the conference and is the top mark in the country.

On the flip side, the Orange have done a tremendous job holding onto the ball on the offensive end. Opponents have only been able to muster 14.5 turnovers per game against Syracuse, which is the top mark in the league.

Last Time Out
Trailing 30-24 at halftime, a 3-point field goal in the third quarter from junior guard Alexis Peterson gave Syracuse the lead for good in a 71-52 victory against Georgia Tech in the Carrier Dome on Feb. 7

After a slow first half, the Orange came out of the locker room with a 9-0 run to close the six-point deficit and take the lead from the Yellow Jackets. Syracuse extended its lead to 19 points in the fourth quarter, to secure the 71-52 win.

In a strong defensive effort, Syracuse forced 20 turnovers in the second half, tying its season-high of 35 forced turnovers in a single game. It was the second game in-a-row in which the Orange had forced more than 30 turnovers. Syracuse forced 33 on Feb. 4 against Clemson in an 83-62 victory.

Aside from the 3-pointer that opened up the game for Syracuse, Peterson led the squad in scoring with 22 points on the day. She also recorded four assists and four steals. It marked the 12th game this season that the Columbus, Ohio product paced the club in scoring.

For the latest news on the Syracuse women's basketball program, follow /SyracuseWBB on Facebook, @CuseWBB on Instagram, and @CuseWBB on Twitter.

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Players Mentioned

Alexis Peterson

Syracuse University Athletics