Sunday, March 21
Austin, Texas
5:30 PM
Syracuse University
vs
South Dakota State
Orange, Jackrabbits Meet Again in NCAA Tournament
3/20/2021 11:32:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The last time the Syracuse University women's basketball suited up for an NCAA Tournament game was almost exactly two years ago. On March 25, 2019, the No. 3 seed Orange took on the No. 6 seed South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the Carrier Dome for the second round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
In a back and forth game with five lead changes, the Orange were upset by the Jackrabbits, 75-64, who closed the game on a 14-2 run to advance to the Sweet Sixteen in Portland, Ore. In the post-game press conference, Coach Q sat alongside then juniors Tiana Mangakahia and Kiara Lewis. The three expressed their disappointment and vowed they would learn and grow from the experience.
"We're gonna continue to be diligent in our work ethic, be diligent in our recruiting and be diligent with our players to become a better program," Coach Q said.
Fast forward two years later, and they have the chance to prove that the Orange have done just that.
The No. 8 seed Syracuse Orange are set to play No. 9 seed South Dakota State Jackrabbits this Sunday, March 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Frank C. Erwin Center on the campus of the University of Texas in Austin for the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Given that the 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the  2019 matchup against South Dakota State was the last NCAA Tournament game the Orange played. Almost exactly two years later, they've been given the opportunity to avenge the 2019 loss to the Jackrabbits and advance to the second round for the sixth time in their past seven appearances.
Memories of the teams' 2019 matchup can't be far from the Orange's minds, as they return six players from the 2019 roster. Fifth year graduate students Tiana Mangakahia and Kiara Lewis, seniors Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi, Amaya Finklea-Guity and Digna Strautmane, and junior Emily Engstler were all on the 2019 team that had their season end by the Jackrabbits.
In the 2019 matchup, 'Cuse was led by Mangakahia's 18 point and eight assist effort. Lewis tallied 13 points while Strautmane and Finklea-Guity tallied six each. Djaldi-Tabdi and Engstler each added two points and three rebounds. Despite their efforts, it wasn't enough to push them past the Jackrabbits.
South Dakota State is returning eight players from their roster, including Myah Selland who scored 18 points in the upset victory. However, the Jackrabbits will be without Selland this time around. The Summit League Player of the Year suffered a season-ending injury just before the end of the regular season. Other South Dakota State players that earned time on the court that game include Paiton Burckhard, Tylee Irwin and Lindsey Theuninck, who contributed 10, three and zero points, respectively.
This time around, the Orange are laden with experience in all six players returning from that 2019 roster. Since that game in 2019, a lot has changed. Mangakahia won her battle with Stage 2 breast cancer and has returned to leading the Orange, and the country, in assists per game (7.5). Lewis spent the 2019 season as the team's lone point guard and where she earned All-ACC First Team honors. This year she leads the Orange in scoring (14.3 ppg) and was named a All-ACC Honorable Mention selection. Engstler has emerged as a force in the ACC this season, nearly averaging a double-double (10.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg) and earning ACC Sixth Player of the Year honors. In addition, 'Cuse has added fresh talent in ACC Freshman of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year Kamilla Cardoso and two-time ACC Freshman of the Week Priscilla Williams.
 Will this be enough to help the Orange avenge their 2019 second round loss to the Jackrabbits? Tune in this Sunday on ESPN2 at 5:30 p.m. to see for yourself.
Written by Meghan Root, Syracuse Athletics Communications
Â
In a back and forth game with five lead changes, the Orange were upset by the Jackrabbits, 75-64, who closed the game on a 14-2 run to advance to the Sweet Sixteen in Portland, Ore. In the post-game press conference, Coach Q sat alongside then juniors Tiana Mangakahia and Kiara Lewis. The three expressed their disappointment and vowed they would learn and grow from the experience.
"We're gonna continue to be diligent in our work ethic, be diligent in our recruiting and be diligent with our players to become a better program," Coach Q said.
Fast forward two years later, and they have the chance to prove that the Orange have done just that.
The No. 8 seed Syracuse Orange are set to play No. 9 seed South Dakota State Jackrabbits this Sunday, March 21, at 5:30 p.m. at the Frank C. Erwin Center on the campus of the University of Texas in Austin for the first round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Given that the 2020 NCAA Tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the  2019 matchup against South Dakota State was the last NCAA Tournament game the Orange played. Almost exactly two years later, they've been given the opportunity to avenge the 2019 loss to the Jackrabbits and advance to the second round for the sixth time in their past seven appearances.
Memories of the teams' 2019 matchup can't be far from the Orange's minds, as they return six players from the 2019 roster. Fifth year graduate students Tiana Mangakahia and Kiara Lewis, seniors Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi, Amaya Finklea-Guity and Digna Strautmane, and junior Emily Engstler were all on the 2019 team that had their season end by the Jackrabbits.
In the 2019 matchup, 'Cuse was led by Mangakahia's 18 point and eight assist effort. Lewis tallied 13 points while Strautmane and Finklea-Guity tallied six each. Djaldi-Tabdi and Engstler each added two points and three rebounds. Despite their efforts, it wasn't enough to push them past the Jackrabbits.
South Dakota State is returning eight players from their roster, including Myah Selland who scored 18 points in the upset victory. However, the Jackrabbits will be without Selland this time around. The Summit League Player of the Year suffered a season-ending injury just before the end of the regular season. Other South Dakota State players that earned time on the court that game include Paiton Burckhard, Tylee Irwin and Lindsey Theuninck, who contributed 10, three and zero points, respectively.
This time around, the Orange are laden with experience in all six players returning from that 2019 roster. Since that game in 2019, a lot has changed. Mangakahia won her battle with Stage 2 breast cancer and has returned to leading the Orange, and the country, in assists per game (7.5). Lewis spent the 2019 season as the team's lone point guard and where she earned All-ACC First Team honors. This year she leads the Orange in scoring (14.3 ppg) and was named a All-ACC Honorable Mention selection. Engstler has emerged as a force in the ACC this season, nearly averaging a double-double (10.1 ppg, 9.1 rpg) and earning ACC Sixth Player of the Year honors. In addition, 'Cuse has added fresh talent in ACC Freshman of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year Kamilla Cardoso and two-time ACC Freshman of the Week Priscilla Williams.
 Will this be enough to help the Orange avenge their 2019 second round loss to the Jackrabbits? Tune in this Sunday on ESPN2 at 5:30 p.m. to see for yourself.
Written by Meghan Root, Syracuse Athletics Communications
Â
Players Mentioned
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