No. 21 Syracuse beats Virginia 70-58

Jan 11, 2015, 03:14 pm

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Alexis Peterson scored 16 points and No. 21 Syracuse handled Virginia 68-55 on Sunday.

Peterson was 5 of 10 from the floor, including a pair of 3-pointers, and had five assists. Maggie Morrison was 4 of 5 beyond the arc for 12 points, Taylor Ford added 11 points and Briana Day chipped in with 10.

Syracuse (11-5, 1-2 ACC) jumped out early against the Cavaliers and led 12-4 after 7 1/2 minutes. Virginia drew within four after a surge, but the Orange responded with an 11-2 run -- including a pair of 3s by Morrison -- and opened up a 41-23 lead at halftime.

Virginia (12-4, 2-1) trimmed it to nine after a pair of Breyana Mason free throws with 12:30 left in the game, but Syracuse's Ford drilled a pair of 3-pointers moments later to push it back to 15 and Syracuse cruised.

Faith Randolph paced Virginia with 24 points.