SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Undefeated and 24th-ranked Syracuse placed four in double figures to record a 79-39 win over Colgate here Wednesday night.
 
The Atlantic Coast Conference members, who were taken to overtime Sunday by Stony Brook, came out sharp and scored 27 and 24 points in the first two quarters. The Orange shot better than 56 percent from the floor in that opening half while building a 51-16 advantage.
 
Colgate picked up the defensive intensity in the second half and played the Orange to within five points on the scoreboard, 28-23, over the final 20 minutes.
 
Nia Ahart was the Raider scoring leader with nine points, followed by Rachel Thompson with eight and Tegan Graham seven. Syracuse's Miranda Drummond led all scorers with 18.
 
This was Colgate's first ranked opponent since the Raiders hosted No. 1 Connecticut back in 2015. The Raiders and Orange were meeting for the first time since 2011.
 
Bottom Line
Syracuse 79, Colgate 39
 
Won-Lost Records
• Colgate is now 4-5.
• Syracuse improves to 9-0.
 
Facts & Figures
• Syracuse posted scoring runs of 11, 16 and 13 in the first half.
• The Raiders put together a 9-0 run in the third quarter to pull within 56-27, but Syracuse answered with the next 16 points.
• Colgate in the fourth quarter scored eight in a row to close within 72-35.
• Ahart led the Raiders in scoring for the first time this season.
• Thompson had a season-high 10 rebounds to lead both teams.
• Colgate suffered its largest margin of defeat since No. 1 Connecticut beat the Raiders 94-50 in Hamilton two years ago.
• NCAA assist leader Tiana Mangaklahia failed to reach 10 assists (9) in a game for the first time this season. She came into tonight's contest averaging 11.8.
• Syracuse is off to its best start since a program-best 12-game winning streak to open the 2009-10 season.
 
From the Source
• Colgate head coach Bill Cleary: (On the game) "Without question, Syracuse looked the part of ranked team tonight. They took it to us right from the jump and you've got to tip your cap to the Syracuse women and Coach Q. At times, we did some things well but ultimately, when you're playing a caliber team like Syracuse, you've got to be disciplined every possession.
 
"One of the things we talked about is we don't stop and we don't quit. Our players showed a lot of resolve in that regard. The disappointing part is we've played teams like Syracuse and we understood how important it is to get off on the right foot. We didn't do that tonight but you have to credit Syracuse. They came out to make a statement tonight."
 
Gate Grab Bag
• Attendance at the Carrier Dome was 1,131.
 
Up Next
• Colgate returns to Cotterell Court Sunday to take on Brown.
• The Bears are 8-1 after Wednesday's 102-77 triumph over Sacred Heart.
• Tipoff is noon, with the Patriot League Network and WKXZ-FM carrying all the action.