SYRACUSE, N.Y.- The Syracuse women's basketball team (1-0) defeated Long Beach State 81-42 in its season opener on Sunday, Nov. 13 at the Carrier Dome.
Junior Elashier Hall paced SU with her third career double-double. The junior forward tallied 20 points and 11 rebounds. Hall also led the team in steals with a career-best five. Junior Kayla Alexander was one rebound shy of recording a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore Shakeya Leary led the team in rebounding with 13 boards.
Sophomore Ella Clark led the 49ers (1-1) in scoring and rebounding with 13 points and eight rebounds on the day. Freshman Lauren Spargo had eight points.
With the victory, the Orange improved its record to 28-13 all-time in season openers. Head coach Quentin Hillsman now has a mark of 5-1 in campaign starters in his tenure at Syracuse. Hillsman has won five consecutive openers.
The Orange are utilizing a new defensive scheme this season and used it to force 31 turnovers and hold the visiting 49ers to 23.2% shooting.
"Overall, I am really happy with the win," Hillsman said. "I am really happy with the way our players executed our defensive plan, which was to get up, pressure, get out in passing lanes, and create some turnovers."
Long Beach State jumped out to an early 5-2 lead behind five points from Clark. The Orange then went on 9-0 run to take a 12-5 advantage with 14:38 remaining in the first period. From that point, Syracuse did not trail for the remainder of the game.
The Orange went on another stretch later in the half and recorded 12 consecutive points to push its lead to 35-17. Over that period, Hall registered seven points. SU ended the first half on 9-0 run, to extend its lead to 43-21.
Out of the halftime intermission, Syracuse outscored the visiting 49ers, 25-14, in the first 10 minutes of the second half. In that time, the Orange focused on going inside to score. Alexander led the team with eight points during that stretch.
With its final basket of the game, the Orange pushed its lead to 39, its largest lead of the day. Every active player on the SU roster saw action in the game and 10 players scored at least two points. Senior Iasia Hemingway was one of three players to reach double figures in scoring, contributing 13 points off the bench.
Syracuse is back in action on Friday, Nov. 18 when the team hosts St. Francis (Pa.). Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Carrier Dome.
Tickets for Friday's game can be purchased online, at the Carrier Dome Box Office or by phone at 1-888-DOMETIX.
Courtesy: SU Athletics
