After losing back-to-back games by 15 or more points for the first time since the 2017-18 season, Syracuse entered Sunday afternoon looking to revamp its season. The Orange’s opponent, Pittsburgh, hadn’t won since Nov. 30.

Despite SU’s superiority on the stat sheet and in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings, it started the game flat — something that’s plagued the Orange this season. At the first media timeout, the Orange were shooting 2-for-10 from the field and trailed by seven. By the end of the first quarter, SU’s deficit was five, and it hadn’t made a 2-point field goal. 

But in the second frame, Syracuse’s (9-8, 3-3) shot selection and defense improved, propelling a 12-0 run early in the quarter that created a lead it wouldn’t give up. Catapulted by a 27-11 second-quarter rout, the Orange cruised past Pittsburgh (3-14, 0-6), 69-51, on Sunday at the Petersen Events Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Four different Syracuse players scored in double figures, led by Kiara Lewis with 18 points and Digna Strautmane with 13. Lewis also logged nine assists, well-surpassing her season average of 5.3 per game. Emily Engstler filled the stat sheet with 10 points, seven rebounds, three assists, four blocks and two steals.

In the opening quarter, though, SU couldn’t keep up with the Panthers. Pitt shot 8-for-14 (4-6 3PM) and out-rebounded the Orange 12-6. Syracuse made five 3-pointers plus two free throws for its only points of the period. The woeful early-game shooting marked Syracuse’s fourth-straight game shooting 33 percent or worse in the first quarter, well below its overall field goal percentage for the season (.385). 

Everything the Orange did incorrectly in the first quarter — force 3s, play poor perimeter defense, turn the ball over — they righted in the second. SU no longer looked for a shot from behind the arc on the majority of its possessions. Instead, several players got touches in and around the paint, testing a different part of Pittsburgh’s defense. Seven different Syracuse players scored in the quarter and just five of its 18 shots were from deep.

Its six turnovers in the first turned to one in the second. The slow perimeter defense that allowed Pittsburgh to sink two-thirds of its 3s in the first adjusted to an 0-for-5 clip in the second. Because SU worked the ball inside, 3-point shooters suddenly had more space. Strautmane and Taleah Washington each drilled 3s to help push the Orange to an 11-point halftime lead.

Syracuse continued to extend its advantage in the second half while frustrating the Panthers defensively. Pittsburgh committed 11 turnovers and shot 5-for-28 in the second half as the Orange’s steady offense was enough to secure its first victory in three tries. Pittsburgh’s 26 turnovers total were the most of any SU opponent this season.

SU recorded a season-high 12 steals, including six from Kiara Lewis, along with eight blocks — its second-highest tally of the season.

The Orange return to the Carrier Dome this Thursday to face Duke at 8 p.m.

Published on January 19, 2020 at 2:32 pm

Contact David: ddschnei@syr.edu