{"id":26565,"date":"2020-12-01T00:31:59","date_gmt":"2020-12-01T00:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/cmshub.wpengine.com\/?p=328332"},"modified":"2024-11-03T15:15:52","modified_gmt":"2024-11-03T15:15:52","slug":"college-basketball-star-plays-first-game-in-nearly-two-years-after-bout-with-breast-cancer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/college-basketball-star-plays-first-game-in-nearly-two-years-after-bout-with-breast-cancer\/","title":{"rendered":"College Basketball Star Plays First Game in Nearly Two Years After Bout with Breast Cancer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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A college basketball player who hadn\u2019t made an appearance in a game for nearly two years after a breast cancer diagnosis made her comeback over the weekend.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tiana Mangakahia clocked 36 minutes<\/a> for the Syracuse Orange Sunday in their season opener, a 50-39 victory against Stony Brook. The senior guard scored 16 points and added seven rebounds, with four steals. Her three assists also helped pad her numbers as the school\u2019s all-time assist leader.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"syracusebballcancer\"<\/span>
PHOTO: FACEBOOK\/SYRACUSE WOMEN\u2019S BASKETBALL<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mangakahia said<\/a>, \u201cThere was a lot going through my mind, especially on the bus. In the warm-ups, there was less emotions because I was just focused. But on the bus, I was very emotional and I just couldn\u2019t believe that this day was here and I was going to be able to play.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She also said she wasn\u2019t expecting to do really well after such a long hiatus, but she just wanted to go out there and try her hardest.<\/span><\/p>\n

In April 2019<\/a>, Mangakahia made the decision to put dreams of the WNBA on hold and play in her final year of eligibility. Two months later, she found a lump that was later diagnosed as invasive ductal carcinoma. This led to eight rounds of chemotherapy and two surgeries, including a double mastectomy last November.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Syracuse<\/span>
PHOTO: FACEBOOK\/SYRACUSE WOMEN\u2019S BASKETBALL<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

At Syracuse\u2019s annual Pink Game<\/a> earlier this year, she was honored with video tributes and a half-time ceremony, during which the Australia native said, \u201cSyracuse is my second home now. I probably wouldn\u2019t have been able to make it through without everyone\u2019s support, especially from my teammates, coaches, athletic department. Just thank you so much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

She\u2019s been cancer-free since last November.<\/span><\/p>\n

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After Sunday\u2019s game, Syracuse coach Quentin Hillsman was happy to have her back, saying<\/a>, \u201cI\u2019m just so grateful that she has the opportunity to play again. Some people lose their life and she\u2019s here and playing for us. I\u2019m very thankful and grateful.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mangakahia feels that she\u2019s still got a lot to work on. However, with her stamina not quite back to normal and the fact that she\u2019s still getting used to how her body has changed, she\u2019s just playing how her body will allow.<\/span><\/p>\n

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🎥: The most anticipated assist in @ncaawbb<\/a>. TIANA. IS. BACK.<\/span><\/p>\n

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WATCH LIVE: https:\/\/t.co\/c9EspAG3Os<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/y2HWqP4aXc<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2014 \u2018Cuse Hoops (@CuseWBB) November 29, 2020<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

She says<\/a>, \u201cIf I was to rate my performance out of 100, I wasn\u2019t extremely happy with how I played, but I\u2019m just glad we got the win. So I\u2019d probably say like an 85. I just felt super happy to be on the court, and I just wanted to play really good.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Michelle has a broadcasting background, loves to write, and enjoys a good baseball game. You may find her on a hiking trail.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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