Syracuse women’s basketball ranked No. 22 in AP Poll

The Syracuse Orange women’s basketball team (5-1, 2-1 ACC) fell four spots in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll this week. ‘Cuse stands at No. 22 in the rankings after a 1-1 week.

The Orange received 107 points in the poll.

Two other Atlantic Coast Conference schools are ranked, including No. 2 Louisville (5-0) and No. 4 NC State (8-0). North Carolina (28) and Wake Forest (4) also received votes this week.

Last Thursday, the Orange suffered their first loss of the season at North Carolina, 92-68. Emily Engstler (18 pts & 10 rebounds) and Kamilla Cardoso (11 & 13) tallied their first double-doubles of the year in the defeat.

Kiara Fisher and Kiara Lewis also contributed double-digit scoring for Syracuse in the loss, with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Tiana Mangakahia played just 17 minutes in the contest and was held to three points and one assist.

On Sunday, Syracuse rebounded from the UNC defeat with a win at Boston College, 83-70.

Cardoso went 10-11 from the field, leading all scorers with 24 points. The freshman also added seven rebounds, a steal, and a block.

Lewis and Priscilla Williams also tallied double-digit scoring in the win. Lewis contributed 20 points and eight assists, while Williams scored 14 points in 14 minutes.

Injuries are a big story for the Orange right now. Mangakahia did not play on Sunday due to a lingering foot injury from the Miami game and Engstler exited the court in the final seconds of the BC game with a non-contact injury. There is no word yet as of Monday on what Engstler’s injury is.

Luckily, Syracuse will have an eight-day break for the holidays before returning to action at home versus Morgan State on Dec. 28. The Orange will battle the Bears at 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network. Hopefully by next week, both players will be back to 100%.