Orange Rallies Late After Sluggish Start

Second half run gives the Orange back-to-back ACC wins

Story and Photos by Michael Silver

Brianna Butler hits a long three pointer (c) Michael Silver

SYRACUSE -- After a hot start to the season with an 11-1 record, the Orange women’s basketball team hit a rough patch during its first taste of Atlantic Coast Conference play, losing three of its first five league games to ranked opponents (No. 3) Duke, (No. 6) Maryland and North Carolina State.

The Orange looked to even its ACC record against Clemson Thursday night. The Tigers came into the Carrier Dome with a 9-10 record, having lost seven of their last ten.
 

In a back and forth contest, the Orange looked sluggish out of the gate. Head coach Quentin Hillsman was not pleased early on. He called a timeout down 8-4 and subbed out starter Brittney Sykes.

The Tigers hit three 3-pointers early on and shot 67 percent from the floor in the first half, but redshirt senior center Shakeya Leary was a force in the paint for the Orange. She recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, including seven off the offensive glass.

At the break it was 45-42 Clemson, yet coach Q showed no signs of distress.

 “At halftime there were no adjustments made," he said. "It’s not about basketball, it’s about your heart and your guts.” 

 

The Orange women forced 22 turnovers; most from the full court press and went on an impressive 18-0 run to take control on their home court during the second half.

Syracuse (14-5, 3-3 ACC) outscored Clemson (9-11, 1-5 ACC) 40-32 in the second half and held on 84-75, for a second straight conference win.

Forward Brianna Butler going into the game led the ACC in 3-point FG percentage (38.4) and the NCAA in 3-point shots made (3.4 per game), but struggled early and often. She finished five for 20, including four for 14 from beyond the arc, for 16 points and 7 rebounds.

Alexis Peterson penetrates the defense (c) Michael Silver

Sykes was a contributing factor in the second half, finishing with 18 points, five rebounds, and three assists in 36 minutes played. 

“My team got on me about scoring low in the first half…I have to learn that he [Coach Q] wants the best from me and he wants to win as much as we do,” Sykes said.

Hillsman was direct with his message for the star guard at intermission.

“I told her at half, we cannot win with you scoring three points.”

Asked why he is harder on Sykes during timeouts, Coach Q was transparent.

“She’s a very good player, if you don’t push your best players to be great then you’re not doing your job as a coach” he explained.

Taylor Ford, Brittney Sykes, Brianna Butler (c) Michael Silver

Taylor Ford, the sophomore guard from the Bronx, came off the bench for the Orange and boosted the team with 19 points and a team high eight offensive rebounds in 30 minutes played.

Sharp shooter Nikki Dixon kept Clemson in the game, shooting eight for 14, including 3-6 from downtown for 21 points, along with eight assists, but also had eight turnovers.

SU's freshman shooting guard Isabella Slim from Amsterdam was plagued by foul trouble and only contributed two rebounds and an assist with one field goal attempted. Coach Q assessed her progress so far this season.

“She’s a great player, but sometimes you look at her and she’s laboring up the court. You have to remember she’s been playing year round basketball [in Europe] since she’s nine. So she has the body of a 40-year old.”

The Orange next faces Virginia (10-9, 3-3 ACC) on Sunday, January 26 at 2 p.m. at the Carrier Dome. Attendance is free for students.