Orange Efficient in win over Boston College

By James Corrigan

CitrusTV’s Women’s Basketball Beat Reporter

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – After a 24 point blowout loss to North Carolina on Thursday, the 18th ranked Syracuse Orange knew they needed to make adjustments. Today, with Tiana Mangakahia on the bench with a lingering foot injury, the Syracuse (5-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast) produced their best and most efficient performance of the year in an 83-70 win over Boston College (4-3, 0-3 ACC) in Chestnut Hill.

Quentin Hillsman’s side came in having shot just 36% on the year and were coming off a performance in Chapel Hill where their shot selection came into question after going 9-36 from 3. Against the Eagles, the Orange shot 54% and attempted only 14 threes, making four. Their efficiency was hammered home by Kamilla Cardoso’s breakout game. The five-star freshman poured in 24 points on 10-11 shooting and went 5-5 from the line after struggling from there early on. She appeared unstoppable, finding position around the paint, and finishing with ease.

Kiara Lewis put together her most efficient game as well, scoring 20 points on 7-17 from the floor after shooting just 27% in her first five games. Freshman Priscilla Williams put in her best game as well with 14 points, all coming in the second half.

The defense which carried the Orange to a 4-0 start returned in Chestnut Hill in a big way. Syracuse held the Eagles to just 30% shooting and 5-21 from 3. Joanna Bernabei-McNamee’s team was buoyed by an astounding 20 offensive rebounds but could not convert on enough to remain in the game, which Syracuse led for all but 3:22.

For BC, Taylor Soule led the charge with 20 points, while Clara Ford added 19 with 12 rebounds.

The status of Mangakahia remains to be seen going forward. The Aussie was a surprise absence after playing 17 minutes against North Carolina Thursday following a foot injury suffered over the weekend at Miami. With eleven days until their next ACC tilt, resting gives her a full two weeks between ACC games.

The Orange are scheduled to take the floor beforehand, however, as they play host to Morgan State on Monday, December 28 in a recently announced matchup. Their home ACC opener comes New Year’s Eve when they host North Carolina.

jucorrig@syr.edu | @RealCorrigan