Strong Second Half Makes Up for Sloppy First

Story and photos by Nicole Todd

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse Orange Women’s Basketball team took on its in-state rival the Cornell Big Red Sunday night in the Carrier Dome.  After a week-long holiday break the Orange  trailed the entire first half, but ended up getting its ninth win, 76-59.

Sykes' Season Debut

It was not only the Orange’s first game from break, but also Brittney Sykes' first game back after being out all season due to a torn ACL from last season's first round NCAA tournament game. Sykes tweeted earlier Sunday “back again.”

She was Syracuse’s leading scorer in the 2013-14 season with an average of 16.6 points.  In Sunday nights game Sykes had one basket and seven rebounds in her 18 minutes of playing time. 

“I didn’t get too emotional until the game started,” she said.

The team had played 11 games this season (eight wins) without Sykes. "That’s what great teams do," she said. "They find a way to win when there’s missing pieces.”   

Second Half Tempo

The Orange (9-3) trailed the Big Red (6-5) during the entire first half, closing the score to 34-32 before heading into the locker room. Cornell had led by as many as to ten points in the first half. It was first time since last season's NCAA tournament that SU had trailed at the half.

“We played a really sloppy first half” Coach Quentin Hillsman said.
 

In the second half, Cornell again brought its lead up to nine at 45-36.  But the Orange got 12 straight points to take the lead for the first time since the first two minutes of the game.  Syracuse cruised home from there.

Guard Alexis Peterson led the Orange with 18 points and five assists.  Cornelia Fondren and Briana Day each had 11 points.

Kerri Moran and Nia Marshall each had 14 for Cornell.
 

Up Next

Syracuse plays Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Carrier Dome against Central Connecticut State, the last non-conference game of the season.