Syracuse controlled the game from the opening tip. Cuse’ had five steals in the first quarter and held Niagara to just 35% from the floor in the first quarter as they set their defensive tone. Syracuse dominated Niagara 26-11 on the glass.
Cuse’ got easy shots in the paint on their way to 58.1% shooting in the first half. Nine players recorded a point in the first half. Freshman Kiera Scott led the way for Cuse with 10 at the half.
The Orange finished the game shooting at high rate of 60.3 from the floor and 46.7% from the behind the arc. Syracuse managed to push their lead to 20 points in the fourth quarter.
Syracuse put unselfish basketball on display as six players finished in double-digits. Cuse as a team dished out 27 assists. Senior captains Kyra Wood and Georgia Woolley led the way with 19 points and 18 points.
Woolley says the offensive flow better once the Orange settled on take quick shots on their offensive possessions.
“We came into half time and realized that we were playing at their pace, and we needed to dictate the offense,” said Woolley. “We got into things a little more and I think we started to really dictate the game and that’s when we saw the way we play basketball
Coach Jack says it’s a team effort on offense this year compared to last season.
“This year, we going to have to do it a little bit different," said Jack. "We’re going to push with a pass and we going share it different.”
The Orange dominated Niagara on the glass 45-28 while grabbing 16 offensive rebounds. Coach Jack says rebounding is an important identify for this team.
“That’s who we are, that’s who I’ve always been as a head coach.”
The Orange put constant pressure on the rim as Syracuse dominated the free throw attempts in this game. Cuse finished with 35 attempts to Niagara’s 17
Syracuse moves on to face Saint Joseph’s on Sunday at 2 p.m. back at the JMA Dome.