USF WBB Hhits the Road to Take on Syracuse

The USF ladies, coming off of a tough 52 to 55 loss to WVU on Wednesday night, will try to notch a big conference win on the road as they travel to take on Syracuse.  The Bulls are trying to stay in the postseason hunt (NIT) but need to win the key games down the stretch to improve on their 12-11 (4-5) record.  Syracuse is 14-9 (3-6) and will be looking to defend home court and notch a strong conference win at the Bulls expense (game starts at 1PM).

Syracuse is led by senior forward Iasia Hemingway (5-11).  Hemingway is averaging 16.2 points per game, 6.7 rebounds per game, and is shooting 47% from the floor.  Junior center Kayla Alexander (6-4) is averaging 15 points per game, 7.3 rebounds per game, and has 58 blocks on the season.  She will be a tough match-up for Rowe in the paint.

Junior guard Carmen Tyson-Thomas (5-9) is averaging 11.2 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, and has 41 steals on the season.  Junior guard Elashier Hall (5-11) is averaging 7.9 points per game, 4.9 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game and has 36 steals as well, giving the Orange a lot of pressure of defense.

Sophomore guard Rachel Coffey (5-7) is averaging 3.3 points and 1.8 rebounds per game.  Sophomore center Shakeya Leary (6-3) is averaging 6 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per game.  Sophomore guard La'Shay Tuff (5-7) is averaging 4.6 points per game and 1.7 rebounds per game.  Junior guard Shanee Williams (5-5) is averaging 2.8 points per game and 2.6 rebounds per game.

The Orange have a solid team, both in the paint and at the guard position.  USF will need to find their range during this game.  Orekhova, who can be streaky at times shooting the 3, needs to become more consistent.  Rowe, Conner, and others have to stay out of foul trouble and help rebound and provide scoring in the paint.  USF needs this game if they want to stay alive for a possible NIT bid.