No. 21 Syracuse Uses Defensive First Half to Top No. 22 Michigan State, 75-64

Story by Brianna Adams
Photo by Ashley Moore

SYRACUSE, N.Y.—With Alexis Peterson and Briana Day leading the way, No. 21 Syracuse dominated against No. 22 Michigan State to take the ACC/BIG 10 challenge, 75-64. The Orange took the lead with 2:32 remaining in the first quarter and never let go, to break a two-game losing streak and get its first win this season against a ranked team.

Powerhouse Peterson

Peterson through 38 minutes of play topped the boards with 27 points in the win. The 5' 7" guard dominated in the paint with 11 field goals. The 20+ point game was her fifth of the season just eight games in. 

"I think she's poised, I mean, she's a really good jump shooter," Michigan State Head Coach Suzy Merchant said. "You have to worry about her."

Three-point struggles

Peterson’s success in the paint helped bring Syracuse the win after the Orange struggled with three- pointers. On an offense that Syracuse head coach Quentin raves about shooting threes, threes were anything but the strong point versus the Spartans. The Orange made just four in the entire game out of 25 attempts.

"Our goal is to force 20+ turnovers,"  Hillsman said. "We're still hitting our game goals even if we're not hitting our threes right now."

Dominating Defense

Syracuse held Michigan State to just 22 points in the first half. The Orange forced 20 turnovers in the first half alone to take a hefty 18-point lead past the Spartans. Center Briana Day was key when it came to stopping the Spartans offense. Day had seven rebounds and two steals to accompany her 12 points on the win.

Closer but no Cigar

Michigan State managed to cut the lead to single digits in the second half.  Immediately following halftime, Michigan State scored six unanswered points as Syracuse struggled to get a basket. But a layup by Isabella Slim broke the ice for Syracuse and the Orange eventually built the lead to 54-40 after three quarters.

The Spartans cut it to nine at 61-52 with 5:51 left in the game but that was as close as they got.

Tori Jankoska led the Spartans with 21 points in the loss, one below her average. Nia Hollie was the only other Michigan State player in double figures with 10 points. 

Looking forward

Syracuse improves to 5-3 on the season after losing two crucial games to #8/8 Ohio State and # 18/17 DePaul. The Orange will host Central Connecticut State at the Carrier Dome on December 4 Michigan State’s record drops to 6-2 after the loss. The Spartans will look for redemption as they host Oakland on December 2.