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Game Recap: Women's Basketball | 2/22/2015 2:59:00 PM |
#25 Syracuse Defeats Pitt on Senior Day
Orange outscores Pitt, 33-13, in the second half
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2/22/2015 - 12 p.m.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The No. 25/RV Syracuse University women's basketball team used a dominant second half to score a 68-54 victory against RV/- Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon in the Carrier Dome. With the victory, Syracuse has won at least 20 games for the sixth straight season.
"That was a great job by our girls; I'm really, really happy for our kids," head coach Quentin Hillsman stated. "When they came out the second half and played a tremendous second half that was just toughness. We outscored them 33-13 in the second half. I thought in second half we did a good job of getting some stops, getting some traps and keeping the ball out of her (Brianna Kiesel's) hands."
Syracuse (20-8, 10-5) trailed by six points after the first half against Pittsburgh (18-9, 8-6). The Orange proceeded to outscore its Atlantic Coast Conference-opponent, 33-13, to secure its second victory against Pitt in the 2014-15 season.
Sophomore center Briana Day had a spectacular showing on Sunday, tallying 15 points, 18 rebounds, five blocks, and three steals. It marked her 12th double-double of the 2014-15 campaign. For the fourth straight contest, junior guard Brianna Butler scored at least 19 points, finishing with exactly 19 points on the day.
"Briana Day, was tremendous with 15 points, 18 rebounds, and five blocks. That was a tremendous game for her. Brianna Butler, our shooting specialist, made five threes in the game and that's big for us. She has to make shots for us to play free and play easy because she really spreads the floor."
Sunday's contest marked the final home contest of the 2014-15 regular season. Prior to their final game in the Carrier Dome of their collegiate careers, seniors Tiara Butler and Diamond Henderson were recognized for their contributions to the program.
From the opening tip, it was a back-and-forth contest. Neither team led by more than five points for the first 15 minutes of the game. During that time frame there were eight lead changes and five ties, as well.
Syracuse was leading 27-26 with 5:14 remaining in the first half until Pittsburgh went on an 8-0 run. Every time the Orange looked to cut into the Panthers' lead, the visitors came right back with points of their own. Pitt would end up going into the locker room leading Syracuse, 41-35.
Butler once again was red-hot from beyond the 3-point line in the first half. The King of Prussia, Pa. native knocked down three 3-point field goals en route to a team-high 11 points. Day was one point shy of a double-double after the first 20 minutes of play, recording nine points and 11 rebounds.
Out of the halftime break, Syracuse went on a 8-0 run to take 43-41 edge with 17:30 remaining in regulation. Butler and sophomore guard Alexis Peterson each knocked down 3-point field goals in that run.
Pittsburgh would come right back with a 7-2 stretch to take a 48-45 advantage with 12:35 left. Syracuse would not let its final home game of the regular season be spoiled. From there, the Orange would outscore the visiting Panthers, 23-9, over the remainder of the contest.
The Syracuse women's basketball team takes on Atlantic Coast Conference-foe Clemson on the road on Thursday night in its regular season finale. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. in Clemson, S.C.
