SYRACUSE, N.Y. (11/29/2005)—Syracuse University sophomore Vaida Sipavaiciute scored a game-high 41 points to lead the Orange to a 92-56 win over Colgate in women’s basketball action this evening at Manley Fieldhouse. Sophomore guard Melanie Cargle (Trotwood, Ohio) led all Raider scorers with 13 points off the bench.

The Raiders (1-4) came out of the gates fast, knocking down consecutive three-pointers to take an early 6-1 lead. Sipavaiciute, however, scored the next four points to make it a one-point game, 6-5, sparking a 28-7 Syracuse run. The junior center had 16 points during the nine minute stretch, finishing the opening half with 21 points.

The Orange (3-2) led by as many as 21 in the first session, but a 10-6 run over the final four minutes by the Raiders made it a 45-31 contest at the break.

Colgate shot 30 percent in the first stanza, making 10-of-33 from the floor, while Syracuse knocked down 47 percent of its shots (16-of-34). Senior Megan Ballard (Atlanta, Ga.) and Cargle led the Raiders in scoring at the half with five points apiece.

Sipavaiciute picked up right where she left off in the second half, scoring 15 of the team’s opening 23 points as the Orange opened the first seven minutes with a 23-7 run. Colgate continued to battle hard, but could not get the game back within reach.

Sophomore forward Caitlin Gillard (Vestal, N.Y.) had a strong second half, adding six points to finish with a career-high 10 points for the game. Ballard and freshman Katherine McGarry (Salem, Ohio) both chipped in six points, while Gillard and freshman Gretchen Polinski (Mansfield, Ohio) pulled down a team-best six boards. The Raiders were 19-of-67 from the field (28.4) for the game.

Jenny Eckhart contributed 16 points for Syracuse, while Cintia Johnson provided a game-high eight assists. Sipavaiciute hit the glass hard, picking up a game-high 21 caroms for the Orange. Syracuse finished the night with a 51.5 shooting percentage, hitting 35-of-68 shots from the floor.

Colgate closes out its six-game road swing to open the 2005-06 season on Dec. 3, at Princeton. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m.