Saturday, December 9
Syracuse, N.Y.
6:00 p.m.
Syracuse University
10-0
72
vs
62
Drexel
6-4
1
2
3
4
F
DREXEL
19
22
8
13
62
Syracuse
15
18
21
18
72
Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Orange Win Streak Hits Double Digits
12/9/2017 8:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The rv/24 Syracuse women's basketball team (10-0) defeated Drexel (6-4), 72-62, Saturday night at the Carrier Dome to move to a perfect 10-0 on the season. The Orange used a dominant second half to execute the come-from-behind victory over the Dragons.
HOW IT WAS DECIDED
The Orange offense got off to a slow start, trailing until a knocked-down three by Miranda Drummond tied the game at four with 7:04 left in the first quarter. The score remained close through the first 10 minutes of play as the Dragons held a 19-15 lead at the end of the opening frame.
Drexel was dominant from beyond the arc, shooting 55 percent (5-for-9) from 3-point distance in the first half. Sophomore Tiana Mangakahia responded with a 3-pointer for the Orange, giving Syracuse a three-point lead at the 4:44 mark in the second quarter. However, the Dragons answered with three 3-point baskets by Megan Marecic to take a 41-33 lead into halftime.
Syracuse came out of halftime on a tear, knocking down 16-of-28 shots from the field, including six 3-pointers. Freshman Digna Strautmane led the Orange push, tallying 12 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the second half alone. Strautmane drained a three at 6:36 in the third to give 'Cuse a narrow 43-41 lead. The teams continued to trade baskets, but the Orange prevailed, heading into the final 10 minutes of play with a five-point advantage.
The Orange clung to the lead throughout the final quarter, posting an additional 18 points on the board for the 72-62 victory.
OF NOTE
Five Orange players recorded double-digit outings, Strautmane (19), Drummond (17), Mangakahia (16), sophomore Gabrielle Cooper (10), and redshirt junior Isis Young (10). This is the second time this season that five Syracuse athletes have scored in double-figures with the last time coming against Morgan State in the season opener.
Strautmane recorded her second double-double of the season, notching a career-high 19 points while pulling in 11 rebounds. The freshman led the team in points, rebounds and blocks (four) for her best outing of the season.
Mangakahia is back to dishing the ball, tallying her ninth game with 10 or more assists (10) and her ninth double-double of the year. The Australia native has scored in double figures in nine consecutive games. She sits just one game behind team leader, Drummond, who has posted a double-figure outing in all 10 games this season.
TWEET OF THE GAME
"I thought our kids came out in the second half and really played hard," said head coach Quentin Hillsman. "I give the kids a lot of credit as it's the same story when I step up here every night. They're being aggressive, playing tough and I'm really happy for them, happy for our program, happy for their effort. When you break 10-0, what else can you ask for? They've done everything we've asked them to do up until this point."
UP NEXT
The Orange hit the road for the rest of December, opening the slate against Coastal Carolina at the Carolina's Challenge in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17.
For the latest news on the Syracuse women's basketball program, follow /SyracuseWBB on Facebook, @CuseWBB on Instagram, and @CuseWBB on Twitter.
HOW IT WAS DECIDED
The Orange offense got off to a slow start, trailing until a knocked-down three by Miranda Drummond tied the game at four with 7:04 left in the first quarter. The score remained close through the first 10 minutes of play as the Dragons held a 19-15 lead at the end of the opening frame.
Drexel was dominant from beyond the arc, shooting 55 percent (5-for-9) from 3-point distance in the first half. Sophomore Tiana Mangakahia responded with a 3-pointer for the Orange, giving Syracuse a three-point lead at the 4:44 mark in the second quarter. However, the Dragons answered with three 3-point baskets by Megan Marecic to take a 41-33 lead into halftime.
Syracuse came out of halftime on a tear, knocking down 16-of-28 shots from the field, including six 3-pointers. Freshman Digna Strautmane led the Orange push, tallying 12 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the second half alone. Strautmane drained a three at 6:36 in the third to give 'Cuse a narrow 43-41 lead. The teams continued to trade baskets, but the Orange prevailed, heading into the final 10 minutes of play with a five-point advantage.
The Orange clung to the lead throughout the final quarter, posting an additional 18 points on the board for the 72-62 victory.
OF NOTE
Five Orange players recorded double-digit outings, Strautmane (19), Drummond (17), Mangakahia (16), sophomore Gabrielle Cooper (10), and redshirt junior Isis Young (10). This is the second time this season that five Syracuse athletes have scored in double-figures with the last time coming against Morgan State in the season opener.
Strautmane recorded her second double-double of the season, notching a career-high 19 points while pulling in 11 rebounds. The freshman led the team in points, rebounds and blocks (four) for her best outing of the season.
Mangakahia is back to dishing the ball, tallying her ninth game with 10 or more assists (10) and her ninth double-double of the year. The Australia native has scored in double figures in nine consecutive games. She sits just one game behind team leader, Drummond, who has posted a double-figure outing in all 10 games this season.
TWEET OF THE GAME
Q'S THOUGHTSDENIED.
— 'Cuse Women's Hoops (@CuseWBB) December 10, 2017
12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal for Strautmane.
43-43, 4:51 Q3 pic.twitter.com/jOK3zb5lfE
"I thought our kids came out in the second half and really played hard," said head coach Quentin Hillsman. "I give the kids a lot of credit as it's the same story when I step up here every night. They're being aggressive, playing tough and I'm really happy for them, happy for our program, happy for their effort. When you break 10-0, what else can you ask for? They've done everything we've asked them to do up until this point."
UP NEXT
The Orange hit the road for the rest of December, opening the slate against Coastal Carolina at the Carolina's Challenge in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Tipoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17.
For the latest news on the Syracuse women's basketball program, follow /SyracuseWBB on Facebook, @CuseWBB on Instagram, and @CuseWBB on Twitter.
Team Stats
DREXEL
SU
FG%
.429
.463
3FG%
.286
.345
FT%
.500
.857
RB
32
35
TO
18
19
STL
9
9
Game Leaders
Pts
19
FGM
8
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
17
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
4
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
10
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G
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