Syracuse, N.Y. — When the Syracuse women’s basketball team plays in the Carrier Dome, it usually doesn’t bode well for the opposing team.
That was the case on Thursday as the Orange won its seventh-consecutive game at home to beat Wake Forest, 85-78.
The Orange (10-4, 7-4 ACC) is still undefeated playing at the dome, powered by efficient performances from Digna Strautmane and Kamilla Cardoso.
Strautmane tallied a season-high 17 points, along with eight rebounds, four blocks and two steals. It was her most impressive output of the season, on both ends of the floor.
Cardoso used her inside presence to score 16 points and grab 13 rebounds, to go along with six blocks. Kiara Lewis added 16 points and six rebounds.
Wake Forest (8-8, 5-7) was led by Gina Conti, who finished with a game-high 25 points and five assists. Deacons forward Ivana Raca produced a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Most of Syracuse’s damage was done in the third quarter, scoring 24 points while also limiting Wake Forest to 17 points on 6-of-18 shooting.
Strautmane, who was honored before the game for scoring her 1,000th point at Georgia Tech on Tuesday, scored the first points of the game with a 3-pointer. She was active on offense and defense, recording three first-quarter blocks. She finished with seven points in the opening frame, while Lewis added five points.
Conti scored 12 of her team’s 19 points in the first quarter on 5-for-6 shooting. The Orange couldn’t contain her from beyond the arc, in the mid-range or in transition. Jewel Spear added five points in the quarter and 11 overall.
Conti slowed down in the second quarter as she didn’t score, nor did she look to find the basket. Orange sharpshooter Priscilla Williams knocked down her first points of the game during a 5-0 run by drilling a 3-pointer from the corner.
Strautmane continued to play well in that period as well, doubling her scoring output from the first quarter to finish the half with 14 points. The Orange forward scored on back-to-back mid-range shots, followed by a 3-pointer to give SU a 35-33 lead.
It appeared as if Wake Forest would take the lead going into halftime when Raca scored a basket with six seconds left, but Mangakahia banked in a running 3-pointer to end the half. SU led 38-37 at the break.
Syracuse will play at Pittsburgh on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
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