Syracuse crushes Canisius en route to third straight win

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The early dominance continues for the Orange as they start their season 3-0 with a 92-76 win over the Golden Griffins.

dominique darius and laila phelia dapping each other up
Dominique Darius (left) and Laila Phelia (right) dapping each other up. Photo Credits: Maddy Goodstein

This marks the third time head coach Felisha Legette-Jack has started a season with three straight wins. The one time she didn’t? Last year, when the Orange got off to a 1-2 start, in what ultimately ended as a disappointing season. Getting back on track this season was quite simple, and it all started with defense.

“Once we recognize that the head coaches are about defense, the staff about defense, the pedigree to win is about defense … and things of that nature, I think we’re gonna be a pretty good team,” said Jack.

And that defensive fire was on full display early on. After Canisius took the quick 2-0 lead to start the game, the Golden Griffins wouldn’t sniff another one. Syracuse went on to score 15 unanswered points, sparked by newcomers Laila Phelia and Dominique Darius.

Darius got on the board first for ‘Cuse, and Phelia hit multiple of her patented mid-range shots to go 5-for-5 in the first quarter. Syracuse scored 19 of its 32 first-quarter points off turnovers alone, giving the duo just the kind of start they like.

“Our mindset defensively is where we start the first five minutes. We try to come out with a lot of heat to make the team uncomfortable. And I think Li and I both agree, like defense is where we kind of get started for both of us,” said Darius.

Phelia put up a season-high 22 points in this one, and Darius added a career-best 21 points as well.

Laila Phelia on the court looking toward the sideline. Photo Credits: Maddy Goodstein

As strong as the emphasis has been on defense, the defensive flame seemed to dwindle a bit in the second half.

Outscoring the Orange in both the second and third quarters by two, led by forward Shariah Gailes, who had a team-high 22 points, the Griffs were able to cut the lead down to just 13 early in the fourth.

“I had to call that timeout because I had to reset who we were,” said Legette-Jack.

Syracuse Women’s Basketball huddled up in-game. Photo Credits: Maddy Goodstein

Although they might have taken their foot off the gas defensively, the offense stayed full throttle, going on a 24-14 run the rest of the way and reaching a season-high 93 points, propelling the Orange to their third straight win.