Miami Faces Setback at #24/21 Syracuse

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Miami women’s basketball team (6-5, 3-5 ACC) faced a 99-64 setback against the No. 24/21 Syracuse Orange (6-1, 3-1 ACC) in the Carrier Dome on Sunday. Freshman Nyayongah Gony paced the Canes on offense, totaling at career-high 13 points in the contest.

“There were three or four players on our team that showed heart, concern and care and Jamir [Huston] and Nyayongah were definitely two of them,” head coach Katie Meier said. “They responded to the challenges and did what we asked of them. They made the extra effort and owned the hard stuff.”

The Miami bench came to work, accounting for 56 percent of the Canes’ scoring. Junior Jamir Huston reached double-digits for the first time this season, tallying a career-best 12 points on Sunday. 

Senior Endia Banks recorded her fifth double-digit outing of the year and fourth in the last five games with 12 points against the Orange. For the sixth time this season, senior Taylor Mason led Miami in rebounding, hauling in four boards on the afternoon.

The Orange jumped out to a 32-14 lead in the first 10 minutes thanks to a .765 shooting clip from the field in the first quarter. The Canes defense shored up in the second frame, holding Syracuse to 18 points, while Miami poured in 18 points of its own. 

At the half, Huston and Nyayongah Gony paced the Canes with seven points apiece, while senior Endia Banks tallied four assists in the first 20 minutes of action. Gony shot 3-of-4 from the field in the first half and was responsible for one of Miami’s two 3-pointers.

The Canes shot a game-best 60 percent in the fourth quarter, but Syracuse continued to produce on offense, outscoring Miami in each of the final two quarters to take the 99-64 victory.