WBB: Syracuse Blows Out Miami 81-48

By Noah Wolfe

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — In a game that it desperately needed to win, the Syracuse Women’s basketball team defeated the Miami Hurricanes 81-48.  The win snaps a two game losing skid for the women, where it lost to both 7th ranked Florida State and unranked Georgia Tech by double digits.

Today’s win also marked a program record 16-straight victories at home, and the team’s third win against a ranked team this season.

In its return to the Carrier Dome, the lady Orange got off to a fast start, storming out to a 20-14 lead to open the game.  Senior guard Alexis Peterson poured in seven points in the quarter, and the Orange press stifled the potent Hurricane offense.

“It was a great team win for our team,” Head Coach Quentin Hillsman said. “The first thing we spoke about going into this game was how big this game was for the rest of our season. You want to get quality wins to have on your resume, when it comes to NCAA Tournament time. It was just a very important game for our season.”

In the second quarter, the ‘Cuse ladies did not slow down, stretching the lead to 13 by the middle of the quarter after going on a 12-5 run. Coach Q’s squad continued the onslaught in the second half, leading 45-29 at the break.

Graduate guard Brittney Sykes paced the Orange with 26 points and 11 rebounds while Alexis Peterson added 22 of her own along with seven assists.  The guard duo is currently the highest scoring pair in the nation, averaging just over 42 points combined.  Sykes also rounded out the box score with four assists, three blocks, and three steals.

Up next, Coach Q’s squad will look to overcome its road woes with a matchup against ACC rival Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m.