January 10, 1999
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - In women's basketball action on Sunday, January 10, the Villanova Wildcats traveled to Syracuse, New York, where they fell to the Syracuse University Orangewomen, 81-59. With the loss, Villanova falls to 6-8 overall and 2-4 in Big East play, while Syracuse improves to 6-7 overall and 2-4 in conference action.
Syracuse started the game strong, racing to an 11-0 lead just three minutes into the game.Junior Jenea Skeeters finally broke the Villanova dry spell when scored on a lay-up at the 16:59 mark.
With Syracuse leading 29-20 with 7:03 remaining until halftime, Villanova went on a 14-5 run to tie the game at 34-34. The Orangewomen would score the final five points of the half, including a three-pointer from half court at the buzzer by Syracuse guard Ernestine Austin to take a 39-34 lead at intermission.
Both teams shot well in the first half, with Villanova shooting 53.6 percent and Syracuse shooting 52 percent. Austin led the Orange in the first half with 12 points, while Skeeters, senior forward Jenn Sliwa and sophomore guard Lauren Pellicane all had six first half points for Villanova.
Syracuse blew the game open in the second half with a 16-0 run which widened a four point lead at 45-41 to a 20-point advantage at 61-41 with 11:29 left in regulation. The run was highlighted by center Paula Moore who had eight points in the Orangewomen spurt. Following the run, Syracuse cruised to the victory.
Moore led the Syracuse attack with a game-high 22 points on 8-of-14 shooting. Three others reached double figures for Syracuse including Austin with 15, Jaime James with 13 and Jazmine Wright with 12. Syracuse dominated the backboards, out rebounding the Wildcats by a 44-21 margin.
Sliwa led the Wildcats with 14 points followed by junior guard Mary Beth Snell who netted 11 points. Skeeters added 10 points for the Cats. Sophomore Mimi Riley registered a career-high eight assists.
Villanova returns to action on Thursday, Jan. 14 when they host St. John's at 7:30 p.m. in a Big East contest.
