Moving On! Orange Advance to Second Round

Sunday, March 21

Austin, Texas

5:30 PM

Syracuse University

15-8,9-7ACC

South Dakota State

21-4,14-0Summit League

South Dakota St.

Syracuse

3/21/2021 8:11:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Postgame Press Conference Highlights

Emily Engstler leads all scorers with 18 points in 72-55 win

AUSTIN, TEXAS - The Syracuse women's basketball team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in the last seven Orange appearances with a 72-55 win over No. 9 seed South Dakota State on Sunday evening. The No. 8 seed Orange advance to face the winner of No. 1 seed UConn and No. 16 seed High Point on Tuesday. Emily Engstler led all scorers with 18 points, 12 rebounds, a career-high six steals and a season-high four blocks. She scored 10 of her 18 points in the fourth quarter.

"Our players did a good job of moving their feet, getting in front of the ball-handler and getting blocked shots," said Syracuse head coach Quentin Hillsman. "I thought far as our steals were concerned, our pressure was a factor. We were able to speed the game up, knock time off the shot clock and get turnovers."

Syracuse's defense put on a clinic against the Jackrabbits. The Orange forced 22 South Dakota State turnovers, 13 steals and blocked a NCAA Tournament program-record 14 shots. ACC Co-Defensive Player of the Year Kamilla Cardoso led the team in blocks with six and added 12 points.

'Cuse got the early jump with an 8-0 run in the first three minutes of action, but the Jackrabbits stormed back and kept it close to trail 21-17 after 10 minutes.

South Dakota State's Tori Nelson converted on a four-point play to give the Jackrabbits their first lead of the game, 25-23, three minutes into the second frame. Syracuse regained the lead when Digna Strautmane notched a three to give 'Cuse a 30-28 edge with three minutes to play in the first half. Syracuse closed the half on a 7-3 run to lead 37-31 at the break.

Paiton Burckhard carried the Jacks through the third quarter with 11 points, as SDSU outscored the Orange 17-13 and cut the Syracuse lead to two, 50-48, with 10 minutes to play in regulation.

Syracuse's offense erupted in the fourth frame. The Orange put up 22 points shooting 43.8 percent from the field while holding the Jackrabbits to 22.2 percent and forcing six SDSU turnovers.The Orange held South Dakota State scoreless for a five minute period and ran away with the 72-55 win.

Digna Strautmane knocked down three triples on her way to earning her first double-double of the season with 13 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. All five Syracuse starters scored in double figures. The Orange backcourt of Tiana Mangakahia (11 points, 7 assists) and Kiara Lewis (14 points, 5 assists) combined for 12 of Syracuse's 15 assists.

Of Note:

Syracuse's 14 blocks (season-high) are just two shy of the NCAA Tournament game record (16) set by Baylor in 2010. SU's previous NCAA tournament game block record was six vs. Army in 2016.
Emily Engstler had her seventh double-double of the season
Digna Strautmane earned her first double-double of the season
The Orange improve to 10-11 all-time in the NCAA Tournament and reach the second round for the sixth time in program history

Syracuse will face the winner of No. 1 seed Connecticut and No. 16 seed High Point at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, March 23 at the Alamodome. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.