Emily Engstler scored 18 points to lead five Syracuse players in double figures as No. 8 seed SU topped No. 9 South Dakota State University 72-55 in the first round of the NCAA women’s basketball tournament in Austin, Tex.
Engstler also snagged 12 rebounds, grabbed six steals and blocked four shots in a dominant all-around effort.
Kiara Lewis scored 14 for SU, followed by 13 for Digna Strautmane, 12 for Kamilla Cardoso and 11 for Tiana Mangakahia.
Cardoso blocked six shots and Syracuse had 14 as a team, two shy of the NCAA Tournament record set by Baylor in 2010.
Paiton Burckhard paced SDSU with 17 points, 15 of which came in the second half. Syracuse’s win avenged a loss to the Jackrabbits in the 2019 NCAA Tournament in the Carrier Dome.
Syracuse (15-8) advances to take on the winner of Sunday night’s game between top-seeded Connecticut and No. 16 High Point in the second round.
GAME RECAP LINKS:
- Syracuse women’s basketball pulls away from South Dakota State in NCAA Tournament opener (Syracuse.com)
- 3 takeaways from SU’s NCAA Tournament win over South Dakota State (DailyOrange.com)
- MOVING ON! ORANGE ADVANCE TO SECOND ROUND (Cuse.com)
- Syracuse defeats South Dakota State 72-55 to advance to the round of 32 (DailyOrange.com)
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
MEDIA:
Update !!?? x 2.
Great win @Cuse_MBB AND @CuseWBB
What a day!!!!— MikeTirico (@miketirico) March 21, 2021
.@Cuse_MBB @CuseWBB
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winning in March pic.twitter.com/z0ZGc0JFhj— ACC Network (@accnetwork) March 21, 2021
We’re moving on ?
We will play the winner of UConn/High Point in the second round. The two tip-off now on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/17GwAFO7N5
— 'Cuse Hoops (@CuseWBB) March 21, 2021
Happening now deep in the heart of Texas ? @CuseWBB #ncaaW pic.twitter.com/7L8jTDFKGK
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) March 21, 2021
First half snaps ? pic.twitter.com/tRlelBlLqz
— 'Cuse Hoops (@CuseWBB) March 21, 2021
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].