Syracuse Women's Basketball at Boston College

Photos by Peyton Zeigler

Syracuse Upset Number 11 Florida State

Story by Peter Benson

SYRACUSE, NY - Syracuse women’s basketball upset number 11 ranked Florida State at the Carrier Dome on Sunday. 

The win sees the Orange at 2-2 in conference play while the Seminoles picked up their first ACC loss of the season. Syracuse continued their dominance at home, remaining undefeated in the Dome in the ACC this season.

“It’s a signature win,” Syracuse women's head coach Quentin Hillsman said.

Drummond’s Career Night

The victory was courtesy of junior forward Miranda Drummond’s career game. Drummond’s 38 points saw her as the only Orange player with double digits. Her performance was efficient too, shooting 14-20 from the field (70 percent) and 8-13 from beyond the arc (61.5%).

“Miranda was amazing today,” Hillsman said. “She took shots with confidence. She took some big ones.”

Her career night looked in doubt however. In the fourth quarter, Drummond pulled up at mid court with what looked like a rolled ankle. She limped off with a grimace on her face sitting on 29 points, equalling her career high. Some quick treatment and she was back on though, much to the pleasure of the crowd. 

Drummond then caught fire at the right time. Down the stretch she scored nine points, all three-pointers as the Orange closed the big upset out. 

“I knew this was a really important game,” Drummond said. “I had to knock down shots.” 

Down Under

The opposite could be said for star point guard Tiana Mangakahia. The sophomore struggled mightily, scoring her first points with 2:19 left in the third quarter. Her five points marks her worst total of the season which came as a surprise on the back of her career game against Georgia Tech where she had 44 points.

While she wasn’t scoring, Mangakahia still played a significant role in the game, providing 13 assists and recording four steals. The Australian was, in Drummond’s eyes, a big reason why she had a career night.

“She created a lot of the shots for me,” Drummond said. “I thought she did what she had to do.”

Mangakahia left the game in the fourth quarter with what Hillsman said was a scratch on the side of her left eye. The guard left the court in tears but her coach put it down to shock more than anything else. 

In back-to-back games, the Orange have relied on Mangakahia (against Georgia Tech) and Drummond (against Florida State). Hillsman isn’t too worried about the reliance on one player carrying the team.

“It works. We’re 2-0,” Hillsman said, laughing. “As long as we’re winning, I’m not trying to figure it out.”

Three-Point Disparity

One stat ended up defining the game: three-point shots made. A slow first half saw the Orange and Seminoles combine to go 8-31 from beyond the arc (26%). In the second half, Syracuse stepped it up, going 4-10 in the third quarter and 4-6 in the final quarter and Florida State couldn’t keep up.

“We try to keep the ball moving, keep the pace moving, keep the pressure up,” Hillsman said.

Down the stretch, it felt like everything was going in. Drummond was feeling it and knew the signature win was in reach.

“It’s a good feeling,” Drummond said. “ I usually know if it’s going in."

Syracuse are leading the ACC in three-point shots made and added 13 more this evening while Florida State only managed 7 on 25 attempts. That proved to be the difference in this game.

Not Perfect Though

One thing that Syracuse is still struggling with is rebounding. Florida State employed two bigs against the Orange and bullied center Amaya Finklea-Guity inside, out rebounding Syracuse 49-37.

The one thing that could have derailed the Orange was allowing 24 offensive rebounds which led to 23 second chance points for the Seminoles. On another day, Florida State would likely have ridden their domination on the glass to victory.

“It was one of me and two of them,” Finklea-Guity said. “Every time I felt like I got one, the other one would get the rebound.”

This display marked the sixth time in as many games that Syracuse have failed to out rebound a team. 

The Orange head on the road to face NC State next Sunday while Florida State go home to face interstate rivals Miami on Thursday. 

Main Photo for ND/SU Basketball Story

Photo by: Tommy Farrell

The Luck of the Irish Prevail in Syracuse

Story by: Tommy Farrell

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse men’s basketball team fell to Notre Dame 51-49 on Saturday afternoon in front of 24,304 people at the Carrier Dome.

With the loss, Syracuse falls to 1-2 in the ACC and 12-4 overall. Notre Dame improves to 3-0 in the conference and 13-3 overall. This was the fewest points that Syracuse scored against Notre Dame since 1942.

No Offense on Both Sides

Despite Tyus Battle scoring 21 points and Oshae Brissett dropping his 8^th double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds, Syracuse managed to only shoot 39% from the field. This comes after Syracuse shot 50% in the first half.

“We can’t score 50 points at home and expect to win,” Boeheim said. “We have a problem.”  

On the other end, Notre Dame’s TJ Gibbs scored 18 points, even though Notre Dame shot 30% from the field.

Syracuse Weak on the Boards

Notre Dame, down by nine points at halftime, cut it to within a single point after opening up the second half with an 8-0 run. The Irish also out rebounded the Orange 42-27, which led to second chance points for Notre Dame. This was the second straight game that Syracuse blew a halftime lead and was outrebounded.

“I’m digging this defending and rebounding thing we’ve got going on,” Notre Dame Head Coach Mike Brey said. “We haven’t really been known for that.”

Down to the Wire

Notre Dame took a three-point lead with 58 seconds left in the game when Tyus Battle knocked down a three to tie it at 49. After a Notre Dame turnover by Martinas Geben, Tyus Battle had all 24,304 people in the Carrier Dome on their feet with 32 seconds left.

An off-the-mark pass by Battle, led to a breakaway for the Irish with 5 seconds left. TJ Gibbs took it to the rim, but was off the mark. Notre Dame’s Rex Pflueger was there to tip it in with two seconds left and that would seal the deal for the Irish.

“We had a great play to tie it and we just lost the ball at the end,” Boeheim said. “It’s one of those things. We’re really struggling to score. Our defense is good, but we just can’t score.”

Notre Dame Head Coach Mike Brey was overjoyed with the media after the game.

“I’ve been at Notre Dame for 18 years,” Brey said. “This is as good as a win that I’ve ever seen.”

Notre Dame Without Their Two Stars

On January 2^nd, Notre Dame announced that they would be without their senior forward and captain Bonzie Colson. Colson, the Pre-Season ACC All-American, suffered a broken foot in practice that led to having surgery on January 4^th. Colson is expected to be out eight weeks. His injury was announced the day before Notre Dame’s game vs. NC State on January 3^rd.

In the middle of the second half vs. NC State, Notre Dame’s senior point guard, Matt Farrell, went down hard while going up for a layup. The team announced it was a sprained ankle and would be without Farrell until their game at Georgia Tech on January 10^th.

What’s Next

The Syracuse Orange (12-4, 1-2) travel to #8 Virginia on Tuesday January 9^th and then to #24 Florida State on Saturday January 13^th. The Orange will be back in the Carrier Dome to face Pitt on Tuesday January 16^th.

Notre Dame (13-3, 3-0) travels to Atlanta on Wednesday January 10^th to take on Georgia Tech. The Irish play host to #12 North Carolina on Saturday January 13^th.

Syracuse vs, Wake Forest MBB Pics

 The Demon Deacon rides his motorcycle before the game.

 Tip-off between Wake Forest and Syracuse.

 Syracuse guard Tyus Battle defended by Wake Forest guard Bryant Crawford. Battle scored 13 points and dealt with foul trouble most of the game.

 Battle swishes in a free throw.

 Crawford pulls up for the mid-range jumper over Battle and Orange center Paschal Chukwu. Crawford had 19 points and went 4-9 from 3- point range.

 Both teams return to the floor after the first media timeout of the game.

 Battle at the free throw line.

Syracuse guard Frank Howard getting ready to inbound the ball.

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Orange forward Bourama Sidibe and Demon Deacons guard Keyshawn Woods fight for a rebound. Wake Forest won possession.

 A wide look at Wake Forest looking to attack the Orange's 2-3 zone.

 Demon Deacons forward Donovan Mitchell twists and turns to put up a shot.

 Howard helps up teammate forward Matthew Moyer off the deck.

 Howard met by two defenders bringing the ball up the court.

 Wake Forest forward Terrence Thompson and Moyer soar for the board.

 Thompson secures the rebound.

 Howard drives and scores over a couple defenders. He led all scorers with 23 points, going 5-7 from the 3-point line.

 Moyer glides for the reverse layup.

 Howard inbounding the ball.

 Chukwu puts down the two-handed slam dunk. He contributed with 10 points.

 Chukwu rises up in the paint for the bucket.

 Wake Forest headed into the locker room at halftime down 32-29.

 The Demon Deacon poses for the camera.

 Syracuse forward Oshae Brissett uses his length to defend the inbounds pass.

 Brissett returns to sender with the block. He had 2 blocks in the game.

 Crawford shoots from distance.

 Wake Forest guard Brandon Childress tip toes the sideline and passes the ball. Even with Moyer's length, he can't tip the ball away.

 Childress at the top of Syracuse's 2-3 zone.

 Chukwu closes out too late, as Crawford sinks the triple from the corner.

 Demon Deacons guard Mitchell Wilbiken at the free throw line. He had 10 points on the night,

Wake Forest forward Olivier Sarr makes a free throw to help seal the Demon Deacons victory. Wake Forest comes out on top 73-67.