WBB: Syracuse Routs Pitt 95-63

By Noah Wolfe

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The Syracuse Women’s basketball team improved to 16-7 after defeating Pittsburgh 93 to 65 in the Carrier Dome.

With the victory, the Orange logs its third straight win, and the team appears to be entirely past its mid-January skid. The win also marks the ladies’ 17th consecutive win at home, a new program record.

After trailing 18-17 at the end of the first quarter, Coach Q’s squad turned it on in the second, outscoring the Panthers 25-18 to take a 42-36 lead at the half. The team would not look back from there, taking advantage of a visibly fatigued Pitt defense en route to a third straight conference win.

After struggling from long range early in the contest, the Orange switched tactics, punishing the Panthers inside.  In the game, SU came away with 42 points in the paint, including 28 second chance points. The ‘Cuse also cleaned up on the boards, out-rebounding Pitt 40-23 in the contest.

Brianna Day put out a career high 31 point effort, in addition to 15 boards and three steals.  The steller showing marked her fourth double-double this season and the 10th time that she’s recorded 10 or more rebounds.

Brittney Sykes also chipped in 25 points of her own, in addition to six rebounds and four steals.  The graduate guard has now scored 20 or more points with at least two steals in four of her last five games. Sykes has also noticably improved from the charity stripe, shooting 78.9 percent over her last five games.

For the Panthers, Alayna Gribble had 23 points and Laista Walters added 17 more of her own.

Up next, the Orange will look to build on its conference success with a road tilt against Boston College on Sunday.  Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m.