High Post Hoops
Fansided

Tiana Mangakahia’s 44 points lifts Syracuse to big road win at Florida State

By Steve Bittenbender

SOUTH BEND, IN - DECEMBER 28: Syracuse Orange guard Tiana Mangakahia (4) dribbles the basketball during the women's college basketball game between the Syracuse Orange and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on December 28, 2017, at the Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - DECEMBER 28: Syracuse Orange guard Tiana Mangakahia (4) dribbles the basketball during the women's college basketball game between the Syracuse Orange and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on December 28, 2017, at the Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Efficiency, thy name is Tiana.

Asia Durr wasn’t the only Atlantic Coast Conference player who had a huge night Thursday. Syracuse junior Tiana Mangakahia tied her career-high with 44 points, lifting the Orange to a 94-88 win at Florida State.

The 5-6 Australian made 16-of-20 shots and 10-of-11 free throws in helping No. 17 Syracuse (21-7, 10-5) shoot 62 percent and avoid a second straight loss. She scored 33 in the second half, including a three-point play with 1:05 remaining that broke an 85-all tie and secured the victory.

"“I felt like everything was working tonight,” Mangakahia said. “I was pushing the ball. My confidence got stronger as the game went on so I continued to do what I do best.”"

She was so hot during the game, that afterward, her teammates had to cool her off in the locker room.

Manakahia, who leads the conference in assists with nine per game, also added eight of those in the win. She previously scored 44 points in a game last season against Georgia Tech.

“Tiana has a monster game in a must-win situation for us,” coach Quentin Hillsman said. “She was amazing tonight!”

More from ACC

Mangakahia’s jumper put Syracuse up 77-66 with less than seven minutes remaining, but the Seminoles rallied behind the performance of Nausia Woolfolk. The junior scored a career-high 29 to lead Florida State, who managed to tie the game four times in the final period.

With the loss, the No. 22 Seminoles (21-7, 9-6) missed out on a chance to earn a double bye in next week’s ACC Tournament. Instead, North Carolina State will finish in the top four and automatically advance to the quarterfinals.

The Orange find themselves now in fifth place in the ACC.

The win marked the third time this season Syracuse beat a ranked opponent. The Orange previously notched victories over Texas A&M and DePaul.

(Love our 24/7 women’s basketball coverage? Join our Patreon now and support this work, while getting extra goodies and subscriber-only content for yourself.)

Home/ACC