Canes Fall to Orange in ACC Opener

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Miami women’s basketball team recorded its first loss of the season on Thursday, falling to the No. 20/18 Syracuse Orange, 69-58, at the Watsco Center.

Redshirt junior Destiny Harden led all Miami scorers with 11 points on the night for her third double-digit game of the season. Freshman Nyayongah Gony posted a career-high eight points in the contest, including a 2-of-5 effort from 3-point range.

Syracuse took an early 9-0 lead to start the game, but Marshall responded with back-to-back 3-pointers to spark a 7-0 run for the Orange. Another seven points from Roby kept it a two-possession game at the end of the first quarter.

Five different Canes recorded a bucket in the second frame to keep the Canes within striking distance of the Orange. On defense, Miami tallied eight first-half steals and posted 12 points off turnovers.

The Orange stretched their lead to 13 midway through the third quarter, but freshman Nyayongah Gony responded with a driving layup and clutch 3-pointer to make it a single-digit game heading into the final 10 minutes.

Despite a seven-point quarter from Harden, Syracuse closed out the game to take the 69-58 victory.