SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Nov. 10, 2017)–The Syracuse women's basketball team defeated Morgan State 95-68, Friday afternoon at the Carrier Dome in the season opener. This marks the program's 11th consecutive home opener win; all under the leadership of head coach Quentin Hillsman. The contest also ties the highest number of points (95) scored in a season home opener, with the only other times coming in 2016 and 1981.
The Orange (1-0) returned to the court for the 2017-18 season stronger than ever, winning the tip-off, and putting the first points on the board nine seconds into the contest. The game remained close for the first 10 minutes of play as Morgan State held a 10-9 lead, but Syracuse posted an 11-0 run at the end of the quarter to take a 20-10 lead.
It was a team effort as players off the bench accounted for 37 of Syracuse's points. Redshirt junior Isis Young led the reserves with 13 points in the contest while redshirt senior Jasmine Nwajei tallied 11 points and seven rebounds of her own.
With a 44-26 lead coming out of halftime, Syracuse continued to pull away, tallying 52 points in the second half of the game. The Orange posted 13 offensive rebounds, leading to 29 second-chance points and more opportunities for the 'Cuse offense, a key component of Hillsman's style of play.
Morgan State (0-1) was led by Lexus Spears, who fell shy of a double-double with 13 points on 6-of-9 shooting and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Adre'onia Coleman scored 13 points and had seven rebounds, while Braennan Farrar added 12 points, seven rebounds and had a team-leading seven assists.
In her college debut for the Orange, freshman forward Digna Strautmane recorded her first career double-double, totaling 17 points and tallying 11 rebounds for the Orange.
Redshirt junior guard Miranda Drummond came in second on Syracuse in points, notching 15 in the game while recording eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
The Lady Bears will host Cheyney on Monday, Nov. 13 at Hill Field House for their home opener. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m.
