#23 Syracuse falls to Miami in annual Play4Kay game

Story and photo by Michael Castellano

Syracuse, N.Y. -- It was the annual Play4Kay game Thursday night at the Carrier Dome as the #23 Syracuse women fell to  Miami 85-71 in a battle of ACC foes. The Orange donned its pink jerseys in honor of the late N.C. State coach Kay Yow and pink t-shirts were also handed out to the 435 fans in attendance.

After upsetting #13 UNC and Georgia Tech last week Syracuse(17-8, 7-5 ACC) couldn't hold off Miami (17-7, 7-4 ACC) in the paint as it allowed 44 of the Hurricanes' 85 points on the inside.

"You can't give up 44 points in the paint," Syracuse coach Quentin Hillsman said. "There's no way you can win a game playing like that."

'Canes take first half lead

Syracuse trailed by as many as 10 in the first period as the Hurricanes tallied nine assists on their 16 first half field goals. Sophomore guard Jessica Thomas and reserve Adrienne Motley combined for six of those nine assists for Miami.

The Hurricanes dominated on the inside early on. They outscored the Orange 28-14 in the paint and shot 48-percent from the field in the opening period. Miami closed out the half on a 12-4 run to take a 35-25 lead into the locker room.

The second half was much of the same for the Orange. Miami extended its halftime lead to 12 when Suriya Mcguire made a nice spin move in the lane, drew the weak side defender, and dished it off to Michelle Woods for the layup and the foul.

Miami reserves play big role

The Hurricanes lead  ballooned to 17 half way thru the final period as they led 60-43 with 10:17 to play. Miami used 22 points from its bench to help hold off the Orange. Syracuse's reserves contributed only 18 of its 71 points on the night.

The Orange women got within 10 with under two minutes to play as they fouled the Hurricanes on every possession to try to slim the Miami lead. But Miami shot 22 of 27 from the free throw line in the second half to maintain the lead down the stretch. 

"I felt it was one of our worst losses of the season," Hillsman said. "We played hard, but we just really didn't play well."

Fouls hurt Orange

Syracuse center Briana Day only played 24 minutes for the Orange as she dealt with foul trouble all night which contributed to Miami's strong performance in the paint.

"Well, Briana Day got in foul trouble," Miami coach Katie Meier said. "Our length [on the inside] also had something to do with it."

Brianna Butler put in 19 points for Syracuse and has played well recently for the Orange. 

"As you a shooter you go thru slumps and I've been playing pretty well lately," Butler said. "But it's still stinks not being able to come out with the win."

Standings, next

With the loss Syracuse drops into seventh place in the ACC while the Hurricanes move up two spots to number five in the conference. 

The Orange will travel to Blacksburg, Va. on Sunday to square off against the Virginia Tech Hokies. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m..