Orange Defeat Fordham, Advance to Second Round

Saturday, March 23

Syracuse, N.Y.

1 pm

Syracuse University

25-8

Fordham

25-9

Fordham

Syracuse

3/23/2019 3:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Coach Hillsman Press Conference Player Press Conference Highlights - Syracuse vs. Fordham TV Highlights

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange aren't done dancing.

The third-seeded Syracuse women's basketball (25-8) defeated No. 14 Fordham (25-9), 70-49, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament Saturday afternoon inside the Carrier Dome. The Orange advance to the tournament's second round with the victory and will face No. 6-seed South Dakota State Monday night at the Dome.

Syracuse guard Tiana Mangakahia led all scorers, recording a double-double with 21 points and 11 assists. She also pulled down a team-high eight rebounds and had five steals, narrowly missing her second triple-double of the season.

Guard Gabrielle Cooper and forward Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi both pitched in double-digit scoring efforts in the win. Cooper scored 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting, while Djaldi-Tabdi poured in 10 points.

The Orange battled for all 40 minutes to earn the 21-point win. Playing in front of a pro-Syracuse crowd, Fordham refused to be intimidated, as the Rams took a 15-14 lead into the first intermission.

Syracuse would not let the Rams hijack the homecourt advantage, though.

Cooper drilled a three-pointer to open the second quarter, and her teammates immediately followed suit. Cooper's three-point make spurred a 14-0 Syracuse run, as the Orange turned a one-point deficit into a 13-point advantage four minutes into the second quarter.

The Orange's defense stepped up, too. Syracuse turned up the intensity in the second quarter, holding the Rams to just three-made baskets in the frame. Syracuse outscored Fordham, 24-12, in the quarter to open an 11-point halftime lead.

Fordham turned the ball over 15 times in the game, and Syracuse took advantage. The Orange scored 22 points off of turnovers.

Syracuse would never look back after its second-quarter surge, silencing all of Fordham's efforts to mount a second-half comeback. The Orange held the Rams to seven points in the final quarter, allowing Syracuse to empty the bench and close out the 21-point victory.

The Orange now turn their attention to the Jackrabbits, as the two teams will next meet Monday, March 26 inside the Carrier Dome with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line. Tip-off will be announced later tonight.

All tickets are on sale now through the Carrier Dome Box Office. Call 1-888-DOME-TIX today to purchase your tickets.

For a behind-the-scenes look of Syracuse's road to the Final Four, follow @CuseWBB on Twitter and Instagram.