Thursday, February 21
Syracuse, N.Y.
7 PM
Syracuse University
90
vs
63
Pitt
No. 18 Orange Hammer Pitt, 90-63
2/21/2019 9:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The No. 18th-ranked Syracuse women's basketball team overpowered Pitt, 90-63, Thursday night inside the Carrier Dome.
The Orange improved to 20-6 overall and 9-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference play with the victory. It marks the 10th straight 20-win season for the Syracuse women's basketball program, as well as the 11th under head coach Quentin Hillsman's watch.
Guard Emily Engstler poured in a career-high 17 points to lead the Orange, and guard Tiana Mangakahia logged her sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 assists. Guard Kiara Lewis, meanwhile, was perfect from the floor, scoring 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting.
"We played well," Hillsman said. "This is what you want to do. We came out and did a really good job of getting up and down the floor, playing in transition.
"We stayed focused. We stayed aggressive. We really pushed tempo. We did a good job defensively. We did a really good job on the glass."
After Pitt scored the game's opening basket one minute into the first quarter, it was all Syracuse. The Orange limited the Panthers to six points in the opening period of play, using a 23-4 run to build a healthy first-quarter advantage.
The Orange's halftime lead stood at 51-26, and it continued to grow as the game progressed. Syracuse opened a 30-point advantage with under three minutes left to play in regulation before winning by 27. Thursday's 90-point scoring output is the seventh time that Syracuse has scored at least 90 points in a game this season.
Along with the strong performances by Engstler, Mangakahia and Lewis, guard Kadiatou Sissoko matched her career high with nine points, knocking down a career-best two three-pointers. Forward Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi chipped in 10 points - her 13th double-digit scoring effort of the season - and pulled down a team-leading eight rebounds.
"I'm really proud of Emily," Hillsman said. "Kiki played well. Kadi got back into the flow. Overall, I though we really did a good job. I'm pleased to have the win."
A nationally-televised battle between ACC heavyweights lies ahead when No. 5 Notre Dame comes to the Carrier Dome on Big Monday. Tipoff between the Orange and the Irish is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25 on ESPN2.
Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 1-888-DOMETIX or by visiting the Carrier Dome box office (Gate B) during normal business hours.
For more behind the scenes on Syracuse's women's basketball program, follow @CuseWBB on Twitter and Instagram.
The Orange improved to 20-6 overall and 9-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference play with the victory. It marks the 10th straight 20-win season for the Syracuse women's basketball program, as well as the 11th under head coach Quentin Hillsman's watch.
10-straight 20-win seasons 😜 pic.twitter.com/qPUXitXzp6
— 'Cuse Women's Hoops (@CuseWBB) February 22, 2019
Guard Emily Engstler poured in a career-high 17 points to lead the Orange, and guard Tiana Mangakahia logged her sixth double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 assists. Guard Kiara Lewis, meanwhile, was perfect from the floor, scoring 14 points on 6-of-6 shooting.
"We played well," Hillsman said. "This is what you want to do. We came out and did a really good job of getting up and down the floor, playing in transition.
"We stayed focused. We stayed aggressive. We really pushed tempo. We did a good job defensively. We did a really good job on the glass."
After Pitt scored the game's opening basket one minute into the first quarter, it was all Syracuse. The Orange limited the Panthers to six points in the opening period of play, using a 23-4 run to build a healthy first-quarter advantage.
The Orange's halftime lead stood at 51-26, and it continued to grow as the game progressed. Syracuse opened a 30-point advantage with under three minutes left to play in regulation before winning by 27. Thursday's 90-point scoring output is the seventh time that Syracuse has scored at least 90 points in a game this season.
Along with the strong performances by Engstler, Mangakahia and Lewis, guard Kadiatou Sissoko matched her career high with nine points, knocking down a career-best two three-pointers. Forward Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi chipped in 10 points - her 13th double-digit scoring effort of the season - and pulled down a team-leading eight rebounds.
"I'm really proud of Emily," Hillsman said. "Kiki played well. Kadi got back into the flow. Overall, I though we really did a good job. I'm pleased to have the win."
A nationally-televised battle between ACC heavyweights lies ahead when No. 5 Notre Dame comes to the Carrier Dome on Big Monday. Tipoff between the Orange and the Irish is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25 on ESPN2.
Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at 1-888-DOMETIX or by visiting the Carrier Dome box office (Gate B) during normal business hours.
For more behind the scenes on Syracuse's women's basketball program, follow @CuseWBB on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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