While Carmen Tyson-Thomas stood at the podium speaking to reporters following Syracuse’s game against Long Beach State on Sunday, Elashier Hall stood off to the side wearing a look of embarrassment. After watching her teammate have a career game, Tyson-Thomas heaped praise onto Hall, causing a bit of an uncomfortable feeling.

After scoring 20 points and notching 11 rebounds, though, Hall deserved the adulation.

‘Lacey’s always had that style,’ Tyson-Thomas said. ‘But because of our roles, she’s been more on the outside, but now she needs to show her versatility. She’s more inside-out, and we both play the same. We go after the ball, we shoot inside, we go outside. We both have more freedom now. We have new roles.’

In Syracuse’s season opener, Hall ran the floor on both offense and defense. She drained quality shots from the perimeter, scored from the inside and was an unflappable force in stifling the 49ers scorers. Though junior center Kayla Alexander ascended to a more established leadership role and the departure of Erica Morrow and Tasha Harris from last season stole the spotlight during the preseason, Hall’s role as leader and consistent scorer flew under the radar.

But Hall pushed her name right back into the center of attention against Long Beach State with an offensive outburst. She also was a key component to the Orange’s new pressure defense, notching five steals from the 49ers. Hall’s aggressiveness was on full display. Syracuse (1-0) is going to rely on Hall throughout the year, and she’ll get a chance to prove she’s capable of a repeat performance on Friday night when SU plays St. Francis (Pa.) (0-2) in the Carrier Dome at 7 p.m.

And after his team’s 81-42 thrashing of Long Beach State, Syracuse head coach Quentin Hillsman couldn’t have been happier with Hall’s performance in particular.

‘I thought Lacey played really well. Obviously, having 20 and 11 was really big for her,’ Hillsman said. ‘I thought she played a really good game for us and was at the top of our press, played strong and played aggressive.’

Just one season after averaging 9.8 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game, Hall more than doubled her totals in both categories on Sunday. Though it was only one game, her teammates said Hall has the ability to continue that type of performance, especially because of the Orange’s new, up-tempo style of play.

In the absence of Morrow and Harris, Hall said she understands she needs to elevate her own game to help the team absorb the losses. And though the point guard responsibilities are likely going to split between sophomores La’Shay Taft and Rachel Coffey, with transfer Shanee Williams occasionally stepping in, Hall could also be used in that role.

Before the season started, Hillsman said at the team’s media day that Hall had spent some time practicing at point guard. And that’s the reason Hall said she’s focusing on taking over a leadership position and being more of a weapon on the floor.

‘I think we have new roles this year,’ Hall said. ‘Not having Tasha and not having Erica, we really have to step up. I’m a junior, I can’t just expect other people to get it done. I have to get it done. I have to lead my team as well.’

In SU’s game against Long Beach State, three of Hall’s five steals resulted in seven points, including a 3-pointer from Taft.

When she wasn’t pressuring the 49ers on defense, Hall was sinking shots from the arc, one of which came after the 49ers hit a jumper to come within six. Just nine seconds later, Hall drained a 3 to open up the lead once again, continuing to deflate the 49ers’ comeback hopes.

Hall finished 6-of-10 from the field. She was more aggressive going to the basket and was a force on defense. And after seeing that type of performance once, Tyson-Thomas said it’s safe to expect to see it plenty more times this season.

‘She’s a more aggressive scorer now,’ Tyson-Thomas said, ‘and she’s taking her leadership role to a new level.’

cjiseman@syr.edu

Published on November 16, 2011 at 12:00 pm

Contact Chris: cjiseman@syr.edu | @chris_iseman