Friday, March 4
Greensboro, N.C.
8:00 p.m.
Syracuse University
24-6, 13-3ACC
80
vs
61
-/RV NC State
20-11, 10-6ACC
1
2
3
4
F
NC State
12
16
17
16
61
Syracuse
21
13
21
25
80
Photo by: Evan Jenkins
#17 Syracuse Defeats NC State, Louisville Tomorrow
3/4/2016 11:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Orange advance to the ACC Tournament semifinals
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The No. 17 Syracuse University women's basketball team advanced to the semifinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament for the first time in program history with a stunning 80-61 victory over -/RV NC State on Friday night in the Greensboro Coliseum.
"Our kids just grinded it out. We knew that we had to keep pressure on them, no matter what the situation was," head coach Quentin Hillman said. "Our kids were just amazing tonight and gave a lot of effort. I'm really proud of them."
Syracuse (24-6) topped NC State (20-11) for a second time this season, having faced the Wolfpack in regular-season conference play. The Wolfpack topped Boston College in the second round to advance to the quarterfinals to face the No. 3 seed Orange.
Momentum swung in Syracuse's favor early in the game, after a huge block from junior center Briana Day resulted in a triple from senior guard Brianna Butler on the other end, giving the Orange the lead. Butler came out ready to go, knocking down four 3-pointers in as many attempts in the first quarter, launching Syracuse to a 21-12 lead. The Wolfpack attempted to crawl their way back in the second, getting within one but another triple from Butler sent the Orange into the locker room with the 34-28 advantage.
NC State took the lead from Syracuse with seven minutes left to play in the third quarter, but junior guard Alexis Peterson and senior forward Taylor Ford hit five triples in as many possessions for the Orange, retaking the lead for good. Despite getting into foul trouble early in the fourth quarter, Peterson led Syracuse with 18 points on the night.
Five Orange players scored in the double digits including Peterson. Butler notched 17 points, while redshirt junior guard Brittney Sykes had 15 points. Ford and senior guard Cornelia Fondren recorded 10 points each.
The Orange return to the floor at the Greensboro Coliseum on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. to face No. 7/6 Louisville in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.
For the latest news on the Syracuse women's basketball program, follow /SyracuseWBB on Facebook, @CuseWBB on Instagram, and @CuseWBB on Twitter.
"Our kids just grinded it out. We knew that we had to keep pressure on them, no matter what the situation was," head coach Quentin Hillman said. "Our kids were just amazing tonight and gave a lot of effort. I'm really proud of them."
Syracuse (24-6) topped NC State (20-11) for a second time this season, having faced the Wolfpack in regular-season conference play. The Wolfpack topped Boston College in the second round to advance to the quarterfinals to face the No. 3 seed Orange.
Momentum swung in Syracuse's favor early in the game, after a huge block from junior center Briana Day resulted in a triple from senior guard Brianna Butler on the other end, giving the Orange the lead. Butler came out ready to go, knocking down four 3-pointers in as many attempts in the first quarter, launching Syracuse to a 21-12 lead. The Wolfpack attempted to crawl their way back in the second, getting within one but another triple from Butler sent the Orange into the locker room with the 34-28 advantage.
NC State took the lead from Syracuse with seven minutes left to play in the third quarter, but junior guard Alexis Peterson and senior forward Taylor Ford hit five triples in as many possessions for the Orange, retaking the lead for good. Despite getting into foul trouble early in the fourth quarter, Peterson led Syracuse with 18 points on the night.
Five Orange players scored in the double digits including Peterson. Butler notched 17 points, while redshirt junior guard Brittney Sykes had 15 points. Ford and senior guard Cornelia Fondren recorded 10 points each.
The Orange return to the floor at the Greensboro Coliseum on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. to face No. 7/6 Louisville in the semifinals of the ACC Tournament. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU.
For the latest news on the Syracuse women's basketball program, follow /SyracuseWBB on Facebook, @CuseWBB on Instagram, and @CuseWBB on Twitter.
Team Stats
ST
SU
FG%
.383
.439
3FG%
.250
.444
FT%
.700
.692
RB
31
35
TO
18
14
STL
5
6
Game Leaders
Pts
18
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
5
Pts
17
FGM
5
3FGM
5
FTM
2
Pts
15
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballEmpower Felisha Legette-Jack Show
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Postgame Press Conference | Syracuse vs. Clemson
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Highlights | Syracuse vs. Clemson
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Syracuse Women's Basketball Postgame Press Conference
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