It took six tries, but on Saturday Kayla Alexander finally completed one of the goals she set when she arrived at Syracuse: beat Georgetown.

“The seniors and I have waited four years to get this ‘W,’” the center said following the Orange’s 86-56 win over the Hoyas. “Since freshman year … I’ve been waiting a long time.”

The win over SU’s rival was special for all of the obvious reasons: the failed efforts, including a loss on a last-second shot her freshman year, and the simple fact that GU is Syracuse’s arch-nemesis.

But the message it sent was even greater. A 30-point blowout cemented the Orange as a major player in the Big East, and the way it got done – with big performances from freshmen – set an example of why this season is different for SU.

Two games into conference play and Syracuse (14-1, 2-0 Big East) appears to be getting stronger and stronger. The Orange has won seven straight games, all by double digits, since a loss at Temple. The win over Georgetown was its most convincing of the season. The freshmen, guard Brittney Sykes in particular, continue to show maturation and improved consistency. The statement win sets the table for SU as it continues the rigors of Big East play 7 p.m. Tuesday against DePaul (13-4, 2-1) in the Carrier Dome.

Early in the season, Brianna Butler was the freshman guard making the most noise as the team’s most reliable shooter. She leads the team with 26 3-pointers. But of late, Sykes has emerged as the explosive player SU expected when she arrived on campus. She scored in double figures five of the last six games, and opened the game against the Hoyas with nine in a row.

“Our team didn’t want to lose this game,” Sykes said, “and it meant so much to us in many ways to the seniors and to the freshmen as well.”

Sykes scored just three more points the rest of the way, but Alexander doesn’t think she went cold.

“On the defensive end she was creating a lot for us, too,” Alexander said as Butler nodded in agreement.

Syracuse didn’t need the scoring contributions from Sykes as the game progressed, partially why she only scored three more points. But in the weeks leading up to Big East play, the upperclassmen taught the freshmen well. Sykes had the confidence to take over early and the wherewithal to fade into the background and do her job later.

Head coach Quentin Hillsman has expressed his confidence in every player on the roster all season long, which is why the Orange has gone as many as 10 deep at times this season. But it was never more evident than on Saturday.

SU missed 14 of its first 15 3-pointers, including 12 in a row at one point. Still, Hillsman told his players to not lose confidence, just keep shooting. Even the freshmen.

He didn’t care if they missed. He knew the shots would fall eventually, and he instilled that same mindset in his team.

“My mentality coming into the second half was to keep shooting and keep shooting with confidence,” Butler said.

A weaker team may have collapsed after the early struggles, crumpled under the pressure of the big stage against GU.

It’s a testament to the leadership of the senior class.

The same senior class that features Carmen Tyson-Thomas and Rachel Coffey, two star guards who have been more than willing to come off of the bench this season as the freshmen step into the starting lineup. The same senior class that has welcomed the No. 6 recruiting class in the nation with open arms. The same senior class that has so well prepared those freshmen for Big East play, the GU game in particular.

“We let them know, Georgetown’s a great team,” Alexander said. “They get after it, they play hard.”

At that point, Alexander turned to her freshman teammates Sykes and Butler seated at the podium with her for the postgame press conference.

“Did I tell you this?” she asked.

Sykes and Butler laughed and nodded their heads. From the chemistry, to the preparation, to the talent and athleticism the freshmen bring, this year’s team is different. And through two games of conference play it’s already showing. The seniors lead the way, but the freshmen will help them accomplish what they couldn’t before.

“I’ve just come to expect it now,” Alexander said. “All of our freshmen are great players. They can all score the ball, they are active, athletic, they can all create their own shots.

“Seniors on the team, and juniors, sophomores, we’ve all just come to expect it.”

Published on January 14, 2013 at 11:58 pm

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