After trailing most of the game, the Syracuse women's basketball team got a rebound basket at the buzzer from freshman Kamilla Cardoso to beat Florida State Friday in the ACC tournament quarterfinals, 68-67.
Cardoso scored a team-high 16 points and pulled down game-best 13 rebounds in the victory, which the Orange earned after trailing by as many as 14 points. Syracuse outscored Florida State 41-28 in the second half to win the game, the second consecutive contest with All-American Tiana Mangakahia sidelined with a lower body injury.
The Orange also overcame the loss of starter Priscilla Williams, who hit her head hard on the floor while drawing a charge in the second quarter. Williams was eventually carted off the floor in a gurney after about a ten-minute delay, and was later taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation. Head coach Quentin Hillsman said she was moving her arms and legs and was responsive at halftime.
Five Syracuse players scored in double figures, including senior forward Emily Engstler, whose halfcourt shot at the third quarter buzzer pulled the Orange to within three points. Engstler, who finished with 10 points and five rebounds, hit another three-point shot early in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 55. The Seminoles responded with a 7-0 run, led by Bianca Jackson, who scored a game-high 25 points in defeat. But SU ended the game on a 13-5 run to avenge a 15-point loss to the Seminoles earlier this season.
With the win, Syracuse (14-7) advances to the ACC tournament semifinals Saturday, where they'll face top-seed Louisville. Tip time is set for noon, and the game will be televised on the ACC Network.