Lewis Leads Syracuse Past Penn State, 82-72

Sunday, December 6

SYRACUSE, NY

2 PM

Syracuse University

Penn State

12/6/2020 4:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Kiara Lewis scored 26 points and #22/21 Syracuse (3-0) rallied from a 14-point, first-half deficit, to defeat Penn State (3-1), 82-72, on Sunday afternoon in the Carrier Dome.

Graduate guard Tiana Mangakahia had 14 points and eight assists and senior forward Digna Strautmane contributed 14 points and eight rebounds for the Orange.

"I'm happy with how our team fought back when we were down," said Syracuse Coach Quentin Hillsman. "Our veterans came in and did a really good job of stabilizing the game. They did exactly what we wanted from them. They made plays and were aggressive down the stretch."

The visiting Lions jumped out to an early, 7-2 advantage. Tova Sabel fueled the early charge with a trio of three pointers that helped extend Penn State's lead to 22-14 at the end of the first period. Back-to-back, second quarter 3-pointers from Maddie Burke and Kelly Jekot pushed the margin to 14, 32-18, with 4:26 left before the intermission.

The momentum flipped over the next 3:25 as Syracuse turned up its defensive pressure. The Orange constructed a 15-0 run that featured five points from Strautmane and four each from Mangakahia and Lewis. A layup from Lewis at the end of the shutout stretch gave Syracuse its first lead of the contest. Syracuse forced six Penn State turnovers in the second quarter and the Orange entered halftime ahead, 33-32.

Penn State regained control to start the second half, courtesy of a 11-4 run. Johnasia Cash ignited the quick turnaround with three straight baskets. The Lion lead reached seven, 46-39, before Syracuse strung together eight unanswered points, including a three-point play from Lewis and a 3-pointer from Strautmane, to move in front, 47-46. Although Penn State was able to tie the score at 47-47, the Orange continued its strong play and the result was a 14-1 stretch. The Orange owned a 61-53 margin by the end of the third quarter and never trailed again.

Penn State managed to shave into the Syracuse advantage. A free throw from Cash cut the score to 71-67 in favor of Syracuse with 4:24 remaining. The Orange answered with a basket and a free throw from Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi and held on the rest of the way. Backcourt mates Lewis and Mangakahia evenly split Syracuse's final eight points.

The Orange forced Penn State into 24 turnovers and the result was a 24-13 advantage in points off of miscues. Syracuse had a fourth player in double-digit scoring in Amaya Finklea-Guity, who tallied 10 points and a squad-best nine rebounds. As part of her 26 points, Lewis surpassed 1,100 career points, and had five steals.

Syracuse begins ACC play this week on the road at Miami. That matchup tips off at 8 p.m. on Thursday, December 10, on the ACC Network.

Syracuse University Athletics remains committed to doing everything it can to support and protect the health, safety and well-being of our student-athletes, our staff and the campus and Syracuse communities. All decisions will be science-based and informed by public health and guidance as provided by county, state and public health officials.

If fans are permitted to attend games – in some capacity – Syracuse Athletics will announce plans for spectators to secure admission to the events. Fans will be required to sit in their socially-distanced seat locations and wear a face covering.