'Cuse Outlasts Wisconsin to Open Paradise Jam

Thursday, November 23

Washington, D.C.

11:00 a.m.

Syracuse University

(4-0)

Wisconsin

(2-2)

Wisconsin

Syracuse

Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski

11/23/2017 3:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Box Score Cuse TV: Highlights Cuse Tv: Hillsman Postgame

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse women's basketball remains undefeated as the Orange (4-0) topped Wisconsin (2-2), 77-74, in a game that came down to the wire. Sophomore Tiana Mangakahia broke the Paradise Jam single-game assists record with 14 dishes in the game. The previous record (11) was set by Corrie Mizusawa of St. Mary's in 2001.

HOW IT WAS DECIDED
The Orange and the Badgers went back-and-forth throughout the first half, totaling eight lead changes in the first 20 minutes of play. Wisconsin held the 21-19 edge at the end of the first quarter, but a 3-pointer by Gabrielle Cooper at 9:44 set in motion an 8-2 run for the Orange to start the second frame. Redshirt junior Miranda Drummond dumped in back-to-back baskets in the final minute of the half to give Syracuse the narrow 46-45 lead heading into halftime.

The Orange continued to gain momentum after redshirt junior Isis Young and Mangakahia knocked down consecutive 3-pointers extending the Orange lead to 69-61 at the 5:35 mark. The Badgers crept back into the game, tallying six free throws in the final five minutes to tie the game at 74.

With 40 seconds left on the clock, freshman Digna Strautmane headed to the free throw line and sunk one of her two shots, to put Syracuse up 75-74. Wisconsin took the ball down the court but could not convert on the opportunity thanks to fantastic defensive pressure by Amaya Finklea-Guity. Mangakahia sealed the win with a pair of free throws and the Orange held off the Badgers for the final five seconds of the game.

OF NOTE
With her 14 assists, Mangakahia has now posted 10+ assists in four consecutive games to open the season. She sits tied for third on the program's all-time list for single-game assists, just one assist shy of the program record (15). The sophomore tallied her team-leading third double-double of the season, putting up 19 points in addition to her 14 assists against the Badgers.

Junior Raven Fox notched a career-high 11 points for her first double-digit game of the season. The Orange had four players record double-digit outings, Mangakahia (19), Drummond (16), Cooper (12) and Fox (11).

Syracuse shot a season-best 93 percent (14-15) at the free throw line, led by Mangakahia, who was a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe.

The last time the Orange opened the season 4-0 was in 2014-15 when they won their first four outings of the season. Syracuse advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament that season before facing defeat at No. 3/4 South Carolina.

Q'S THOUGHTS
"This was a really tough team and I'm really proud of our girls," said head coach Quentin Hillsman. "Going into the season, everyone was saying that we have no chance of winning games, so, when we come out and are sitting at 4-0, we're in good shape. We have another tough game tomorrow so we just need to get ready to play."

UP NEXT
Syracuse takes on Vanderbilt in game two of the Paradise Jam on Friday, November 24. Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and the game can be streamed on FloHoops.

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