No. 12 Orange Clipped by No. 20 Minnesota, 72-68, in ACC/B1G Challenge

Thursday, November 29

Minneapolis, MN

8:30 pm

Syracuse University

6-2

Minnesota

6-0

Syracuse

Minnesota

No. 12 Orange Clipped by No. 20 Minnesota, 72-68, in ACC/B1G Challenge

11/29/2018 10:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

MINNEAPOLIS - The No. 12-ranked Syracuse women's basketball team (6-2) shook off a slow first-quarter start but could not pull out its third win over a nationally-ranked opponent this season. The Orange suffered a 72-68 setback to No. 20 Minnesota (6-0) Thursday night in the Atlantic Coast Conference/Big Ten Challenge.

"All credit goes to [Minnesota]," head coach Quentin Hillsman said. "They really did a good job of commanding the paint and playing close to the rim. They were the more physical team."

Orange center Amaya Finklea-Guity scored the game's opening points in the first minute of action, but the Gophers gained control after that. Minnesota went on a 21-7 run, extending its lead to as much as 12 before finishing the first quarter up 23-14.

Syracuse's offense showed more life after the first intermission, as forward Digna Strautmane connected on a three-pointer to open the second quarter and ignite Syracuse's comeback. The Orange shot 50 percent from the field in the period, including 3-of-7 from three-point territory, and outscored Minnesota, 17-13, to climb back into the game. Guard Tiana Mangakahia's jumper with 2:29 left in the half cut the Orange's deficit to three before Syracuse entered the half trailing 36-31.

The Orange brought that same energy into the second half. Down four at the start of the fourth quarter, Syracuse used a 9-4 run to even the game at 55 with seven minutes left to play in regulation. Mangakahia facilitated the run, dishing out an assist on a layup by forward Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi before hitting the game-tying shot.

A layup by Finklea-Guity followed by back-to-back buckets from Djaldi-Tabdi and guard Emily Engstler gave Syracuse a 61-55 advantage, the team's largest lead of the game, with 3:36 left to play, and the Orange were on the verge of victory.

Minnesota had other plans, however. The Gophers finished the contest on a 17-7 run, outshooting Syracuse from the field down the stretch to hold on for a 72-68 win. The Orange had no answer for Minnesota's physicality, as Syracuse was outrebounded, 50-33, in the game.

Mangakahia came up short of double-double, scoring 11 points and carding eight assists. Teammate and fellow guard Kiara Lewis finished with a season-high 14 points on 6-of-11 shooting.

Djaldi-Tabdi and forward Miranda Drummond also had double-digit scoring performances, adding 10 and 12 points, respectively. Djaldi-Tabdi blocked a career-high five shots.

Syracuse next returns to the friendly confines of the Carrier Dome for three home games. The Orange host Towson at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 before welcoming in Maryland Eastern Shore and Niagara the following week. All three contests will be broadcast on ACCN Extra.