Syracuse University
18-6, 7-4
NC State
22-2, 9-2
#16 Orange Clipped by #12 NC State
2/13/2019 9:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Orange were on the wrong end of a back-and-forth thriller Thursday night inside the Carrier Dome.
A spirited effort of 25 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds from guard Tiana Mangakahia was not enough to lead the No. 16-ranked Syracuse women's basketball past No. 12/11 NC State. Four players, led by guard Kiara Leslie's 30 points, combined for all the Wolfpack's scoring, as NC State squeaked by the Orange, 77-73.
The loss drops the Orange to 18-6 overall and 7-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference play this year.
"At the end of the day, we've got to give [NC State] a lot of credit," head coach Quentin Hillsman said. "They came in and they played tough. I thought that our kids really played hard. I thought we really competed, we just didn't make enough shots to really close the game down."
The first half seesawed, as both teams went on significant runs. Syracuse jumped out to a 13-7 lead behind three three-pointers from forward Miranda Drummond. The Orange led for a majority of the quarter until the Wolfpack were able to hit their stride, scoring the final seven points of the quarter.
The second quarter provided much of the same back-and-forth action. The Orange were able to connect on five threes, including two from forward Digna Strautmane. The Orange held a 37-35 lead at the half.
Speed was the name of the game in the second half, as both teams pushed the pace much more than the first half. The Orange came out the gate on an 8-3 run.
In a quarter that saw nine total lead changes, no team was able to establish a firm control of the game. The Wolfpack, however took a 58-57 lead into the final quarter.
The Wolfpack never looked back on their lead. Behind a nine-point quarter from Leslie, the Wolfpack took control of the game with a minute to go.
We fought 'til the end tonight.
— 'Cuse Women's Hoops (@CuseWBB) February 14, 2019
Back home Sunday for Senior Day vs. Wake Forest 🍊 pic.twitter.com/HWfIC2aeeO
"Coach obviously has trust in us, and he believes in us to be out there on the court," Mangakahia said. "We just couldn't get the win."
The Orange continue their five-game homestand at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 17 against Wake Forest. It is Senior Day at the Dome, as the team honors its soon-to-be graduates for their hard work and dedication to the program.
For the latest news on the Syracuse women's basketball program, follow /SyracuseWBB on Facebook, @CuseWBB on Instagram, and @CuseWBB on Twitter.
