SYRACUSE -- Sophomore center Kayla Alexander set a new career-high for the second-straight game with 27 points as Syracuse (5-0) defeated Maryland Eastern Shore (1-2), 73-50, on Wednesday night at the Carrier Dome. Alexander led all scorers shooting a perfect 9-for-9 from the floor and 9-for-10 from the charity stripe while adding seven rebounds and four blocks.
Syracuse improves to 5-0 for the second time in as many seasons while extending its consecutive non-conference win streak to 33 games, including 27 in the Carrier Dome. It also marked the 22nd consecutive win for the Orange in the month of December.
The Orange was dominant on the glass, holding a 56-27 advantage on the boards while dominating in the paint, 40-20. Junior guard Iasia Hemingway posted her first Syracuse double-double with 20 points and a career-best 12 rebounds. Sophomore guard Carmen Tyson-Thomas also had a double-double, her third of the season, with 10 points and a career-best 13 rebounds. Senior guard Tasha Harris directed the offense with a team-best six assists.
The teams traded baskets through the first seven minutes of the contest with UMES holding a one-point advantage, 14-13, with 13:12 remaining in the first half. Alexander and Tyson-Thomas combined to score 10 unanswered in three minutes to give the Orange a comfortable edge, 23-14.
Hemingway and Alexander teamed up for a 9-0 run to build Syracuse’s lead, 32-16, with six minutes to go and a 7-2 spurt powered by Tyson-Thomas and sophomore guard Elashier Hall gave the hosts a 39-22 advantage at the break.
Hemingway netted the first eight points of the second half for the Orange as it outscored UMES, 8-4 through the first four minutes. The Hawks used an 8-1 stretch to cut the deficit, 52-36, but were outscored, 10-6, through the remainder of regulation as Syracuse cruised to a 73-50 win.
The Orange returns to the Dome on Saturday, December 4 when it hosts Delaware State at noon. Fans with tickets to the men's games against NC State at 5:30 p.m. can get into the women's game for free.
Courtesy: SU Athletics
