Mangakahia scores 21, leads Syracuse past Fordham 70-49

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Syracuse guard Tiana Mangakahia just missed a triple-double with 21 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds to lead the third-seeded Orange past No. 14 Fordham 70-49 on Saturday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Gabrielle Cooper had 13 points on 4-of-6 shooting for the Orange (25-8) and forward Maeva Djaldi-Tabdi had 10 points. Mangakahia also had five steals.

The Orange, who will face South Dakota State in a second-round game Monday, held Fordham (25-9) to 29 percent shooting. Syracuse hit at a 43 percent clip but at a blistering 64 percent from beyond the arc, going 9 of 14.

Kaitlyn Downey led Fordham (25-9) with 15 points. Lauren Holden and Bre Cavanaugh had nine apiece. Mary Goulding had eight points and 12 rebounds.

The Orange forced the Rams, who average 11 turnovers a game, sixth-fewest in the country, into 15 miscues, including five in the decisive second quarter. Fordham held a 15-14 lead after one period, but the Orange outscored the Rams 24-12 in the second quarter to take a 38-27 halftime lead.

The Orange blitzed the Rams 19-7 in the final 10 minutes to put the game away. Syracuse held the Rams to 2-of-10 shooting in the final quarter while the Orange hit 6 of 10, including all three attempts from beyond the arc.

BIG PICTURE

Fordham concluded a largely successful season but just couldn’t keep up with the more talented Orange.

Syracuse will be favored heading into Monday’s showdown with South Dakota State, but the Jackrabbits will be a tough out.

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