Syracuse women’s basketball comes out firing, beats Miami 99-64

SU beats Miami 99-64 for season sweep of the Hurricane

Priscilla Williams led the team in scoring with 26 points, pushing the Orange to a sweep of the Hurricanes this season.
Published: January 17, 2021
NCAA Womens Basketball: Miami-Florida at Syracuse
Syracuse Orange guard Priscilla Williams (2) shoots the ball as Miami Hurricanes forward Jamir Huston (15) defends during Sunday's second half at the Carrier Dome.

Syracuse women’s basketball had been off for nearly a month due to COVID-19 related issues but didn’t show against Miami, as the Orange played one of its most complete offensive games of the season. Compared to their matchup against Miami in December, which the Orange won by less than ten points, Sunday’s 99-64 victory was a strong ‘welcome back’ performance from Syracuse.

Syracuse postponed or cancelled five games total since its last game, a win against Boston College. These included Morgan State and Virginia, who recently decided to cancel the rest of its season, and three postponements against ACC foes North Carolina, Notre Dame and Georgia Tech.

Contrary to the Orange was Miami, a team that has had few issues with COVID-19, with just two postponements to date. But in this game, it seemed more as if Syracuse women’s basketball was the team that hadn’t missed any time.

The Orange came out shooting hot to start the game, nailing six three-pointers in the first ten minutes, for an early 32 to 14 lead after one quarter.

From there, Syracuse continued to control the pace of the game, highlighted by some of its best ball movement of the season. SU finished with a season-high 27 assists in the game, almost breaking the program record of 30 in a game.

Even though the scoring pace slowed down a bit, the Orange still moved the ball with ease throughout the game. Nine players scored for Syracuse, with all of them making at least two field-goals, a testament to players with good looks, making extra passes for even better looks.

It was also a career day for freshman Priscilla Williams, who led all scorers with 26 points on 9-of-9 shooting, and 6-of-6 from behind the arc.

Tiana Mangakahia had a double-double, dishing out ten assists to go along with ten points. She did have nine turnovers, which has been a problem over the course of her Syracuse women’s basketball career.

But more important than any team and individual records set was for Syracuse to even play the game. It was beginning to look like they’d never see the floor again, but in doing so, quickly reminded the country what they’re built of.

Syracuse is now 6-1 and 3-1 in the ACC after the win, and should move up in the rankings given a dominant win and multiple teams ahead of them losing over the course of the week.

This sets up perhaps the toughest week of the season for Syracuse women’s basketball. They’ll host North Carolina at noon on Jan. 19, before heading to No. 2 Louisville for a 9 p.m game on Thursday. They’ll close it out on Sunday, again on the road, against Clemson.

Both UNC and Clemson already have multiple ACC wins, so there will be nothing close to an off day for the Orange next week.

But for now, Syracuse women’s basketball can rest on a 99-64 win to sweep the season series with Miami. Preparation for the Tar Heels starts now.

The Syracuse women’s basketball team take on the Miami Hurricanes Sunday Jan. 17, 2021. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com
Syracuse Orange center Kamilla Cardoso (14) shoots over Miami Hurricanes forward Naomi Mbandu (35) during the Syracuse-Miami game played at the Carrier Dome Sunday.