Playing against a larger and more athletic Miami team, Syracuse women’s basketball head coach Keith Cieplicki took little time to adjust and throw out his tallest lineup of the season.

With a little less than 12 minutes to play in the first half of last night’s 85-65 loss to Miami at Manley Field House, Syracuse had its only three players above 6 feet tall on the floor at the same time.

It was one of the few times all year that Cieplicki has gone with that rotation. And while Chineze Nwagbo, Sarah Wegrzynowicz and Jill Norton only remained on the floor for 16 seconds together, it was a sign of things to come.

Both Nwagbo and Norton played more than 30 minutes apiece, providing a physical presence inside Syracuse has lacked at times this year.

The two combined to score 25 of SU’s 32 points in the paint.

‘When Jill’s playing better, we can play both her and Chinny at the same time,’ Cieplicki said.

Nwagbo, who broke a six-game streak of not scoring more than 10 points with 12 last night, also garnered praise from Cieplicki for how valuable she remains.

‘We need Chinny,’ Cieplicki said. ‘I don’t think there’s any question about it. We’ve said it all year. Her and Julie (McBride) have to play really well for us to have a chance to win.’

Said Miami head coach Ferne Labati: ‘She had a really good night. Her rebounding has got to get better, though, to take the next step.’

More Norton

Norton is slowly making her way into the Syracuse lineup more and more. The sophomore center registered career-highs in five categories against Miami: points (13), field goals (6), defensive rebounds (4), total rebounds (6) and steals (2).

After playing 33 minutes against Seton Hall last Saturday, Norton once again found her way onto the court. She was particularly impressive when Syracuse was trying to beat the Miami press, registering a few easy transition baskets underneath.

Norton feels it’s just a matter of feeling more relaxed as she starts to play more. After a shaky freshman season and struggling through most of her sophomore campaign, she’s starting to feel comfortable.

‘She’s been putting in extra time,’ Cieplicki said. ‘She really wants to get better, and it’s like a lot of things, if you put the time in you owe it to yourself to be decent and good.’

Mr. T

It took him 23 games, but Cieplicki finally received his first technical foul of his Syracuse coaching career against Miami. There have been times where he’s been dangerously close while receiving warnings and skirting the actual T, but one referee finally had enough.

Cieplicki found himself frustrated in the second half with 11:49 remaining when an offensive foul was called on McBride, a senior. McBride was fighting for position as she drove in the lane and used her arm to brace a defender.

Cieplicki, who had argued with some of the officiating crew earlier in the game, felt the call was perhaps wrong, and let them know about it.

He walked all the way onto the court as an official timeout started. As the Tully’s Dance Team began its routine, Cieplicki continued, and a faint whistle could be heard as he finally got the elusive technical.

Afterward, when Cieplicki was reminded it was his first at Syracuse, he joked: ‘I just didn’t want to go all year without one.’

This and that

Miami junior guard Yalonda McCormick had a slight altercation with the Syracuse pep band. For most of the game the band was giving McCormick a rough time, but after sinking two free throws in the second half, she finally had enough. She turned to the band and put a finger to her lips, giving them the sign to be quiet. ‘They was talking a lot of trash,’ McCormick said. ‘I just felt the need to turn around and say ‘Be quiet.’ Maybe it wasn’t the best way.’… Cieplicki, normally known for taking off his jacket during games and rolling up his sleeves as the game progresses, kept the jacket on throughout the entire game. While there are no official tallies of such things, it’s believed to be the first time that’s happened all year.

Published on February 18, 2004 at 12:00 pm