WBB: #14 Syracuse Kicks off Season with a 95-49 Rout of URI

The Syracuse women’s basketball team kicked off its season with a 95-49 blowout of Rhode Island last night in the Carrier Dome.  It was an all around effort for the Orange, who set program records in turnovers forced (43) and three pointers made (17).

Head coach Quentin Hillsman was very pleased with his team’s effort.

“This is what we’re going to do, come out and play hard every game, be aggressive. It’s Orange collar basketball.”

“Orange collar” is a term Hillsman coined to describe his team’s gritty and aggressive style of play.  

“It’s a mentality,” senior guard Alexis Peterson stated after the game.

Peterson led the offensive charge in the victory, coming away with 28 points, including five three pointers made.  Her impressive night pushed her career scoring total to 1,235, a mark good for 12th in Syracuse school history.  On the defensive side of the ball, the senior guard’s six steals lead the Orange and helped wreak havoc on the URI offense.

But Peterson was hardly the only Orange player to light up the stat sheet.  Graduate guard Brittney Sykes notched a double-double with 11 points and a team leading 13 rebounds.  She also ran the floor exceptionally, coming away with 6 assists.

Freshman guard Gabby Cooper also had a night to remember, playing her first regular season game in the Dome.  The Illinois native shot 4-18 from three while recording four steals as well.  

“I was pretty nervous, but it all went away after I hit my first [three pointer],” she said.

Overall, the Rams had no answer for Syracuse’s press heavy, volume shooting style of play.  Preseason All-Atlantic 10 guard Charise Wilson turned the ball over 10 times while shooting just 1-12 from the field.

“This was a good learning experience, they’re a very tough team,” she reiterated after the game.

The Syracuse ladies will look to continue their hot start on Monday, with another home matchup against Siena.  Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m.