Kiara Lewis’ eyes widened as she discussed the first basket of her SU career. After sitting out last year following her transfer from Ohio State, the redshirt sophomore checked into her first game and drove with her left hand into the thick of the North Dakota defense.

With the precision that made her a top high school prospect, she lifted an underhand layup high off the backboard and into the hoop. Lewis, who kept on a stone face after the basket, cracked a grin.

“I was just like, ‘Wow. This is my first basket,’” Lewis said.

Syracuse head coach Quentin Hillsman wasn’t surprised. The former five-star, 24th ranked player in high school rode the bench for SU last year due to NCAA transfer rules, but provided a steady hand for the No. 18 Orange (1-0) in relief of Tiana Mangakahia in Syracuse’s 85-49 season-opening win over North Dakota (0-1). Lewis tied for the points lead off the bench with 13 and diversified the Orange’s offensive and defensive approach as a lead guard in relief.

“She’s making shots, she’s making good decisions,” Hillsman said. “That’s just her game.”

When Lewis checked into the game with 7:40 remaining in the first quarter, she immediately provided the Orange an element of its game it didn’t have the year prior. Last season, Mangakahia averaged 34.1 minutes per game. Her ball-dominant style was unmatched by her reserves. When she was in the game, she had to control it. Her aggressive style led to turnovers, but many plays started and ended with Mangakahia impact.

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The Orange relied on secondary ball-handlers Miranda Drummond and Chelayne Bailey last year to fill the void when Mangakahia was on the floor. But the addition of Lewis allowed the Orange to free up Drummond to focus on her strength: shooting. On one play, Drummond received the ball from Lewis on the wing and took a dribble to her right before nailing a three-pointer to put the Orange up 29. Bailey didn’t check in until just over five minutes remaining in the game.

But Lewis’ play steadied Mangakahia. The Orange split the two’s minutes nearly identically (Mangakahia tallied 22 to Lewis’ 17), with Lewis sometimes sharing the court with Mangakahia in two-guard lineups. When Lewis was in the game with Mangakahia, she played off-ball, kept the ball moving and offered a threat to drive from the elbow. Her shooting added to SU’s biggest strength, and her drives into the paint kept defenders honest when they matched up with her.

Her aggressive defense on the press made it difficult for the Fighting Hawks players to move quickly past the quicker SU defenders. Hillsman said Lewis and Mangakahia “can and will play together” and he could see the two playing equal minutes as the season goes forward.

Mangakahia, who recorded just one turnover, said her ball security was a “big achievement” as she’s been focusing heavily on cutting down on turnovers from last year. Lewis provided Mangakahia the opportunity to rest — she mentioned fatigue often played a role when she turned the ball late in games last season — and provided the opportunity for the Orange to switch back and forth when it pushed the ball.

Lewis said she encouraged her coach in high school to let her play both on and off the ball because it would “be better” for her. When Mangakahia ran up the floor on breaks with both in the game, Lewis handled it. When Lewis did, Mangakahia got it. But it really wasn’t any different, Mangakahia said.

“We’re both very versatile,” Mangakahia said.

All game, Lewis provided a spark. She started her career with the layup, then drove into the North Dakota bigs again and dished the ball to Amaya Finklea-Guity for an easy bucket, similar to plays Mangakahia looked to make all game long. She went quickly when she needed to, but stayed steady enough to prevent herself from tallying a turnover all game.

In the first quarter, the Orange started off sloppy as it remained knotted with the Fighting Hawks at 18. Then, Lewis drained two-straight threes and Syracuse never looked back. After a breakout second quarter sparked by the timely shooting from Lewis, SU never led by less than 11 points.

“I just took the open shots,” Lewis said, “and tried to do what was best for me.”

As the shots kept falling for Lewis, her focus didn’t waver. Her eyes and face appeared emotionless as she strolled back after makes and she broke in quickly on defense to press. When the ball was in her hands, she commanded the offense and offered a threat every time she touched the ball. After a season on the sidelines, she felt as if she had to.

“I think I have something to prove,” Lewis said.

Published on November 6, 2018 at 7:20 pm

Contact Michael: mmcclear@syr.edu | @MikeJMcCleary