Orange Women Starters Dominate Blue Devils, 95-63

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Briana Day, Alexis Peterson and Brittney Sykes collectively outscored Central Connecticut State,74-63, as the Syracuse women ran off with a 95-63 blowout win in the Carrier Dome on Sunday. This marks Central Connecticut State's fourth straight loss, with its only win this season a home victory over Vermont in overtime.

"I felt that given the fact that we're as young as we were and had so many young kids in the game, playing against a team with the talent that Syracuse has, I can't be 100-percent disappointed," CCSU's head coach Beryl Piper said.

Turnover City

Syracuse got off to a quick start, beginning the game on a 10-0 run. The Orange held Central Connecticut State scoreless until Andi Lydon scored the team’s first basket after three minutes into the first quarter. In a sloppy first quarter, there were 14 turnovers, six belonging to Syracuse, which head coach Quentin Hillsman said was due to the speed of the game.

"A lot of them were dead ball turnovers or non-forced turnovers and errors on our part," Hillsman said.

"They're a team that forces 25 turnovers a game and we had 20 so we were a little bit better than what they average,” Piper said. “So is that a good stat? It's a good stat but it hurts us."

Within Reach

The Orange dominated the offensive boards, outrebounding its opponent 14-5 and forced more turnovers, but Central Connecticut State managed to stay within reach shooting 50-percent from the field in the second quarter. The Blue Devils were outscored by just two points in the quarter, heading into halftime with a 12-point deficit, 45-33.

Dynamic Duo

The Orange began to pull away on a 7-0 run sparked by an Alexis Peterson’s three in the first two minutes of the third quarter. Sykes recorded her eighth career double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds with four minutes to go in the quarter. With both players in double digits, Central Connecticut State had no answer, and began to struggle offensively.

"All we have is our word and we say things that we mean," Sykes said. "So to say in the beginning that we were America's best back court, we meant that and we just have to come out every night proving that."

Clearing The Bench

Peterson began the fourth quarter with quick back-to-back 3-pointers and Sykes had an and-one, extending the lead to 30. Desiree Elmore scored Syracuse's first bench points with five minutes to go in the game, taking a commanding 86-54 lead over Central Connecticut State. After Peterson picked up her tenth assist, Hillsman subbed out the starters. The Syracuse bench accounted for seven points, all of which came in the last five minutes of the game.

Looking Ahead

Syracuse improves to 6-3 on the season and will host a winless Coppin State Wednesday in the Carrier Dome. Central Connecticut State's record drops to 1-6 and will head to Virginia Tech Wednesday to take on the undefeated Hokies.