Mangakahia breaks school record as Syracuse women’s basketball falls to Virginia Tech

Entering Thursday, Syracuse Orange women’s basketball point guard Tiana Mangakahia needed 11 assists to pass Alexis Peterson for the school’s single-season record.

She got 13.

The Orange superstar was nominated for the 2018 Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award earlier in the week — an award that Peterson was a top-five candidate for last season.

Despite Mangakahia’s 16 points and 13 assists, the Orange lost to Virginia Tech, 73-64, on Thursday. Syracuse’s loss to the Hokies is the first home loss for the Orange (11-1 home) this season.

Overall, the Orange had a poor shooting and rebounding evening. The team shot 30.8% from the field, including a season-worst 18.6% from three-point range. Mangakahia and forward Digna Strautmane combined for 39 of the team’s 64 points, and the two combined to shoot just 36% (14-of-39) from the field.

Strautmane followed her 25-point performance on Sunday with a 20-point showing versus the Hokies.

Syracuse led by as many as seven points in the first part of the second quarter. That changed quickly as the Hokies regained the lead three minutes into the quarter.

Syracuse and Virginia Tech fought through five lead changes and two ties before the Hokies regained the lead for good in the third quarter. Simply put — Syracuse just couldn’t hit shots when they counted. Syracuse’s bench was also outscored, 23-12, and the Hokies won the rebounding margin by six.

What’s Next

Syracuse (17-6, 5-5 ACC) will host No. 4 Louisville (23-1, 9-1 ACC) on Sunday. Tip is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET at the Carrier Dome.

Follow the Author

Corey Crisan is the Orange Women’s Basketball reporter for TNIAAM. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @cdcrisan for coverage all season long.