Syracuse to Face No. 3 Louisville in Play4kay Game Sunday

SYRACUSE, N.Y. » Syracuse’s matchup with #3 Louisville on ESPN2 will draw national attention as one of the premier games during the 2021 Play4kay campaign this month. The Orange and Cardinals face off for the second time this season on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. Both teams will don pink uniforms for breast cancer awareness during the games. .

This year’s Play4kay game will mean a more than in year’s past after Syracuse star point guard Tiana Mangakahia has made a courageous return to the court after overcoming her own battle with stage 2 breast cancer last season. After being named WBCA All-america Honorable Mention in 2019, Mangakahia was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2019. She missed the entire 2019-20 season while going

through chemotherapy and a bilateral mastectomy. In November 2019, Mangakahia was declared “cancer free” and one year later, on Nov. 29, 2019, she made her return to the court in Syracuse’s season opener against Stony Brook.

Just as she battled cancer, Mangakahia has battled her way back to the top as one of the best passers in the nation. She currently leads the NCAA with 7.9 assists per game and is adding 10.6 points per game. Mangakahia is a top-10 finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award and is a finalist for the Dawn Staley Award. She has had more 10+ assist games (6) than anyone else in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season.

Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. at the Carrier Dome on Sunday. Fans can watch live on ESPN2.

What is Play4kay?

Play4kay is a national movement through the Kay Yow Cancer Fund focused on the fight against women’s cancers. Former NC State head coach Kay Yow began the tradition in 2006 when one of NC State’s home games each season would be dedicated to raising awareness and money for women’s cancers. In 2009 Coach Yow lost her battle with stage 4 breast cancer but women’s basketball teams across the country continue to honor her legacy each year with a Play4kay game.

How to get involved?

Kay Yow Cancer Fund Celebration Walk/run: Sign up today through the Syracuse women’s basketball team page.

Power of One .... Million Virtual Photo Booth: After you submit a contribution to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, you’ll be redirected to the Power of One...million photo booth. Take a selfie and share it with us on social media. Don’t forget to tag @CUSEWBB, @Cusepromos and @ Kayyowfund or use the #Powerofonemillion hashtag.

What is the Kay Yow Cancer Fund?

The Kay Yow Cancer Fund was officially founded on December 3, 2007, from the vision of Kay Yow, former NC State head women’s basketball coach. Yow was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and passed away on January 24, 2009, after facing her third bout with the disease. Before her death, she joined forces with the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and The V Foundation for Cancer Research to form the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization committed to being a part of finding an answer in the fight against women’s cancers through raising money for scientific research, assisting the underserved, and unifying people for a common cause.