Syracuse Wins 20 Games for Ninth-Straight Season
By Brittany Ehrlich
Syracuse (20-7, 8-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) women’s basketball earned its 20th win of the season by beating Pittsburgh (10-17, 2-12 ACC) 62-53.
This is Syracuse’s ninth-consecutive season with at least 20 wins..
“Our kids did a really good job of gutting this one out,” Syracuse head coach Quentin Hillsman said. “We’ve struggled on the road but I think we played hard and I really appreciate their effort. We need to continue to compete and play hard and just stay after it.”
Although the Orange we able to complete the win they did have some trouble on offense specifically point guard Tiana Mangakahia.
Mangakahia shot four-of-11 and missed her two three-point attempts. The Australian native was limited to a season-low five assists..
She remained calm though and went six-for-six from the free throw line to finish with 14 points and four steals.
Digna Strautmane also had a rough start to the game but bounced back in the third quarter to score 10 of her team-high 16 team points.
After the game Hillsman spoke to the ACC Network Extra and spoke highly about his team.
“Grit,” Hillsman said. “Its all grit. We talk about these last five games being one game. We hear we’re a seven seed and whatever but if we win all five, I know well be fine.”
Another player of notice for Syracuse was junior guard Isis Young who scored 11 points in 18 minutes and sparked the Orange early in the game with five points in a 10-0 run. It was Young’s second-straight game scoring in double-figures.
Miranda Drummond also scored 14 for Cuse’ including a three-point field goal to put the Orange ahead 31-30 and give them the lead for the rest of the game.
Syracuse’s next game is Thursday Feb. 22 when the Orange faces North Carolina (14-13, 4-10) at 7 p.m. in Chapel Hill.
