Photo by: Michael J. Okoniewski
Mangakahia's Hot Hand Leads No. 18 Syracuse Past No. 20 Texas A&M
11/14/2018 9:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – The No. 18 Syracuse women's basketball team kicked off 'Cuse in the City Week with a win over a top-25 opponent.
Junior guard Tiana Mangakahia was hot from the opening tipoff, scoring a game-high 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting to lead the Orange (2-1) past No. 20 Texas A&M (2-1), 75-65, Wednesday night inside the Westchester County Center.
Syracuse went into the intermission trailing 35-34 despite Mangakahia's nine first-half points. Texas A&M guard Chennedy Carter, last season's unanimous National Freshman of the Year, gave the Orange fits across the first two quarters, scoring 15 points - nearly half of the Aggies' first-half total.
Syracuse brought a different energy after halftime. The Orange opened the third quarter with a 13-0 run and built a 47-35 lead behind Mangakahia's hot hand. The Australia native accounted for eight of those 13 points, hitting a three to start the quarter and finishing with 10 points in the period. She scored 17 points in the second half.
The Orange locked down Texas A&M on the defensive end, as well. The Aggies shot 25 percent from the field and managed only 12 points in the third quarter, as Syracuse's lead grew to as much as 16.
Texas A&M clawed back in the fourth quarter and cut its deficit to six points, but it was too little too late. Syracuse cranked up the defensive pressure on Carter, limiting her to three second-half points before she fouled out with 38 seconds left to play in regulation.
Redshirt freshman forward Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi, meanwhile, came alive in the second half, scoring 11 of her 15 points in the final two quarters. She commanded the boards, too, pulling down eight rebounds - seven defensive - in the second half.
The native of Paris, France, finished with 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, her first career-double-double. Mangakahia was active all over the court Wednesday night, recording nine rebounds and five assists in addition to her 26 points - nine of which came from three-point territory.
Redshirt senior forward Miranda Drummond was Syracuse's third double-digit scorer of the night. She tallied 10 points and connected on two three-pointers.
Wednesday night's game, which kicked off 'Cuse in the City Week, was the first of four Syracuse Athletics events scheduled for the Metropolitan New York Area this week. The men's basketball team plays in the 2K Classic benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 15-16. The Orange football team concludes 'Cuse in the City Week on Saturday, Nov. 17 against Notre Dame in Yankee Stadium.
The Syracuse women's basketball team, meanwhile, returns home to host Bucknell on Sunday, Nov. 18. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. inside the Carrier Dome.
For the latest news on the Syracuse women's basketball program, follow /SyracuseWBB on Facebook, @CuseWBB on Instagram, and @CuseWBB on Twitter.
Junior guard Tiana Mangakahia was hot from the opening tipoff, scoring a game-high 26 points on 10-of-16 shooting to lead the Orange (2-1) past No. 20 Texas A&M (2-1), 75-65, Wednesday night inside the Westchester County Center.
Syracuse went into the intermission trailing 35-34 despite Mangakahia's nine first-half points. Texas A&M guard Chennedy Carter, last season's unanimous National Freshman of the Year, gave the Orange fits across the first two quarters, scoring 15 points - nearly half of the Aggies' first-half total.
Syracuse brought a different energy after halftime. The Orange opened the third quarter with a 13-0 run and built a 47-35 lead behind Mangakahia's hot hand. The Australia native accounted for eight of those 13 points, hitting a three to start the quarter and finishing with 10 points in the period. She scored 17 points in the second half.
The Orange locked down Texas A&M on the defensive end, as well. The Aggies shot 25 percent from the field and managed only 12 points in the third quarter, as Syracuse's lead grew to as much as 16.
Texas A&M clawed back in the fourth quarter and cut its deficit to six points, but it was too little too late. Syracuse cranked up the defensive pressure on Carter, limiting her to three second-half points before she fouled out with 38 seconds left to play in regulation.
Redshirt freshman forward Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi, meanwhile, came alive in the second half, scoring 11 of her 15 points in the final two quarters. She commanded the boards, too, pulling down eight rebounds - seven defensive - in the second half.
The native of Paris, France, finished with 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, her first career-double-double. Mangakahia was active all over the court Wednesday night, recording nine rebounds and five assists in addition to her 26 points - nine of which came from three-point territory.
Redshirt senior forward Miranda Drummond was Syracuse's third double-digit scorer of the night. She tallied 10 points and connected on two three-pointers.
Wednesday night's game, which kicked off 'Cuse in the City Week, was the first of four Syracuse Athletics events scheduled for the Metropolitan New York Area this week. The men's basketball team plays in the 2K Classic benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 15-16. The Orange football team concludes 'Cuse in the City Week on Saturday, Nov. 17 against Notre Dame in Yankee Stadium.
The Syracuse women's basketball team, meanwhile, returns home to host Bucknell on Sunday, Nov. 18. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. inside the Carrier Dome.
For the latest news on the Syracuse women's basketball program, follow /SyracuseWBB on Facebook, @CuseWBB on Instagram, and @CuseWBB on Twitter.
Team Stats
TAMU
SU
FG%
.373
.444
3FG%
.500
.421
FT%
.583
.688
RB
31
52
TO
16
24
STL
11
6
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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