Delaware State hit just four of 24 first half shots (16.9%) en route to a 56-37 loss to Syracuse this afternoon. The Lady Hornets dropped their fifth straight game to fall to 1-5 on the season, while the Orange won their third in a row to improve to 7-2.

Erica Morrow led three Syracuse players in double-figures with 15 points. She also shared the team lead with nine rebounds. Chandrea Jones and Juanita Ward added 10 points each for the Orange.

Freshman Sonia Johnson came off the bench to lead all players with a career-high 17 points for the Lady Hornets. Her performance included two three-point field goals (2-for-3) and 7-of-8 shooting at the free throw line. DSU’s Thea Littlepage led all players with 10 rebounds, while Jameka Smith led the team with five assists and four steals, each a season high.

Syracuse was 11-for-20 from the field in the first half (55%), which ended with the Orange in front 32-14. The Orange was ahead 11-8 before scoring the next 10 points to take control.

Delaware State used a 6-0 run, capped off by a steal and three-pointer by Johnson, to pull to within 41-30 with 10:45 left to play.

The Orange answered with an 8-0 run, and opened up a 49-30 lead on a free throw by Morrow with 6:22 to go.

After second-half collapses doomed the Lady Hornets in their previous two games, DSU was only outscored 24-23 in the final 20 minutes against Syracuse. Each team was 8-for-24 from the field in the second half (33.3%).

For the game, Delaware State was 12-of-48 from the field (25%), while Syracuse was 19-for-44 (43.2%). The Orange outrebounded the Lady Hornets 43-26.

Delaware State forced Syracuse into 22 turnovers. The Lady Hornets turned the ball over 19 times. 

The Syracuse contest wrapped up a three-game road swing for the Lady Hornets. Delaware State returns to action next Saturday (Dec. 13) at home against Fairleigh Dickinson. Game time is 2:00 p.m.