Kiara Lewis drops 14 points for the Orange, not enough to overtake No. 20 Minnesota

The Syracuse women’s basketball team (6-2) was unable to come out on top against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (6-0) in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge game in Minneapolis Wednesday night, 72-68.

While four Orange players scored in the double-digits, Minnesota outscored Syracuse in fast break points and second chance points. The Golden Gophers ended the game with 50 rebounds, 13 turnovers and six steals, while the Orange finished with only 33 rebounds, 12 turnovers and six steals.

“All credit goes to Minnesota,” Syracuse Head Coach Quentin Hillsman said. “They really did a good job of commanding the paint and playing close to the rim. They were the more physical team.”

Redshirt sophomore guard Kiara Lewis led the team in scoring, knocking down 14 points for the Orange, while Miranda Drummond (12), Tiana Mangakahia (11) and Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi (10) all put up double-digit scores, as well.

The Orange couldn’t end any of the quarters with a lead over Minnesota, with Syracuse’s largest lead coming in the fourth quarter when they were up 61-55 over the Golden Gophers with 3:36 left in the game. But, that lead ended quickly after a three-pointer from Minnesota’s Destiny Pitts and a lay-up and a jumper from Kenisha Bell put the Golden Gophers ahead by one point. Syracuse wasn’t able to take the lead again, only scoring seven more points before the end of the game.

For a moment, it seemed like the Orange had a chance to take the game when they were only down by four with less than a minute left after a lay-up from Drummond. However, Djaldi-Tabdi fouled Bell, who then completed the and-one three point play.

Good free throws from Jasmine Brunson, Taiye Bello and Annalese Lamke sealed the Orange’s fate as the clock ran out.

Bell led the game in scoring, with 24 points. Bello had a double-double, pulling down 18 rebounds and scoring 20 points.

The Orange shot 5 for 22 from beyond the arc for a three shooting percentage of only 22.7 percent. They went 29-65 in field goals, resulting in only 44.6 percent.

Syracuse will face Towson on Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.