The Syracuse University women’s basketball team rolled to a 75-59 victory over the Providence Friars on Saturday at the Carrier Dome and is off to the best start in program history.

The Orange (18-3, 6-2) has improved on its 2007-08 season record of 17-4 in its first 21 games.

SU tried to come out aggressive but found it difficult to get off to a fast start because of the daunting man-to-man defense Providence played early in the first half. Alexis Harris scored early and for the Friars, keeping them in the game.

A couple of sloppy plays by Providence allowed SU to grab a slight lead after a steal by Rachel Coffey and an assist to a streaking Carmen Tyson-Thomas. Soon after, Coffey made a 3-pointer pushing the lead to 16-12. SU had 13 steals in the first half alone.

Tyson-Thomas got back into the swing of things after missing the last game because of a pulled tooth. The senior guard pulled down nine rebounds and led the team with 15 points.

“I thought Carmen did a good job around the glass and getting back into the rotation of things after missing last game,” head coach Quentin Hillsman said.

The bench also played a stellar first half, taking some of the pressure off the starters. The reserves scored half of SU points in the first. The team shot 36.1 percent from the field.

This SU team is dangerously fast on both ends of the floor. After a tip of a loose ball or a steal, the Orange is likely to have a player already running down the floor for an easy two points.

“Brittney Sykes is doing a very good job up top, and that turns into fast transition buckets,” Tyson-Thomas said.

Coming out of halftime, SU went on a 12-0 run, making the score 52-26. It would be almost six minutes before the Friars’ first field goal of the second half.

Providence’s Harris could not get her offense going the same as in the first. She was unable to penetrate and create her own shots up against the zone defense and the press was taking its toll on the entire team.

Kayla Alexander had 14 points and four huge blocks, aiding in keeping the Friars from driving down the lane for easy shots.

SU’s full-court pressure bothered Providence, and it was able to capitalize by scoring 29 points off of the Friars’ 27 turnovers.

"We're in the midst of a short turnaround here," Hillsman said. "I am just happy where we are right now and we have to continue to build on what we are doing and get ready for Cincinnati."



The Orange will travel to Cincinnati for a game at 7 p.m. Tuesday.