Jaime James makes it sound so simple. Through four years and 86 career games, James has learned exactly what a team can and can’t do if it wants to be successful.

‘You can’t have turnovers, you have to make free throws,’ James said.

The Syracuse (3-1) women’s basketball team has taken that mantra to heart through the first four games of the season. The Orangewomen bring the Big East’s best free throw percentage and second best turnover ratio to Auburn, Ala., when they face Auburn (5-0) in Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum tonight at 7.

So how has Syracuse managed to force 4.5 more turnovers than they commit? James credits head coach Marianna Freeman’s new zone defense.

In the zone, the Orangewomen trap opponents in the corners, denying the cross-court pass. The Syracuse guards then take advantage of the trapped players’ limited pass options.

‘I play the cat role,’ James said. ‘I look over and try and anticipate to see where I can get those steals.’

James has 13 of them this season. As a whole, the Orangewomen make 12.5 steals per game. When SU picked Michigan’s pocket nine times on Sunday, it marked the first time this season Syracuse failed to register double-digit steals.

The zone defense suits Syracuse well because of its lack of size, Freeman said. The Orangewomen use quickness and agility to create turnovers instead of trying to overpower players with man-to-man defense.

Syracuse still averages 17.5 turnovers per game, a number Freeman would like to cut to 12 by the start of the Big East schedule. But the numbers continue to improve with each game. SU turned the ball over 24 times against Cal State Northridge on Nov. 19, but committed only 10 turnovers against Michigan in a losing effort.

‘The defense that we have is very active, and it really fits our personnel well,’ Freeman said. ‘The more we play the better we’ll get at it, but it has helped us.’

Freeman also noted the importance of having Shannon Perry back on the floor. Perry missed last season with a shoulder injury, but coming off the bench this season, Perry has sparked the Orangewomen.

‘She can create things for herself, she can create shots for other people and she’s much better off the dribble,’ Freeman said. ‘When she goes to the hole, either she scores or she gets fouled.’

Getting to the foul line has also been a large part of SU’s success. James noted the importance of making free throws, but creating enough offensive pressure to draw the fouls comes first.

By not turning the ball over, Syracuse has generated more quality offensive opportunities, resulting in more free throws, Perry said.

Two things, Perry said, are important – patience and practice.

‘It starts in practice, taking your time and going through everything,’ Perry said. ‘Taking your time and not taking the first pass, that’s a big part of cutting down on turnovers.’

Point guard Julie McBride has taken advantage of the increased opportunities at the free-throw line, shooting 32 for 34 from the line.

‘I don’t know about that,’ McBride said. ‘Someone’s going to jinx me here.’

Syracuse hopes no one does. With Auburn averaging 72.6 points per game, the Orangewomen need to continue their stellar free-throw shooting and pressure zone.

The good news – Auburn turns the ball over 22 times per game, something Syracuse will surely look to exploit.

‘Turnovers can lead into points,’ James said. ‘A lot of teams turn that into transition points. It’s hard to get that back once you make a turnover. Turnovers are crucial.’

Published on November 28, 2001 at 12:00 pm