SYRACUSE, N.Y. – It was ugly sweater night at the JMA Wireless Dome on Wednesday as Syracuse took on Colgate, and it was an ugly offensive performance for the Raiders due to tenacious defense from the Orange that forced 27 turnovers in their 88-42 win.
Syracuse women’s basketball came into its matchup against Colgate leading the all-time head-to-head series 16-0, and with the Raiders down six rostered players due to injury, this result was no different.
Syracuse started the game out on a 14-0 run, with eight of those coming in the first 77 seconds. Freshman center Uche Izoje opened the run with a soft jumper, and back-to-back threes from forward Sophie Burrows and guard Lalia Phelia quickly followed, forcing Raider head coach Shannon Bush to call an early timeout.
But even after the timeout, the Orange defense would continue to shine, and it wouldn’t be until 4:14 left in the first quarter that Colgate would see their first field goal on a three-point make from sophomore guard Ella Mahaffey.
Syracuse smothered Colgate in the first ten minutes, holding the Raiders to just 2-for-11 shooting and forcing 10 turnovers in a dominant first quarter that saw Syracuse lead it 24–5 lead. Graduate point guard Dominique Darius set the defensive tone early, anchoring the pressure and later adding 10 assists, while Burrows and Phelia also played pivotal roles in the suffocating start.
“I think our captains are so locked in on defense,” Orange head coach Felisha Legette-Jack said.
The defense continued to play strongly in the second quarter, but the offense slowed down a bit, and with 5:08 left to play in the first half, Syracuse’s lead had shrunk to 30-14.
But then Burrows took over. She sparked a 10–0 Orange run to close the first half, drilling back-to-back threes and controlling the offensive rhythm. In just 11 first-half minutes, she poured in 11 points on 3-of-4 shooting from deep and went on to finish with 13 points for the game.
Coach Jack acknowledged that Burrows’ quieter offensive start to the season has been puzzling at times, but she believes it stems from the guard’s commitment to anchoring Syracuse on the defensive end.
“One thing she has been bringing is that defensive prowess that helps with rebounding, creating an extra shot and organizing the team,” Coach Jack said.
Burrows two threes were the beginning of a 10-0 run to end the first half as the Orange would take a 42-16 lead into the locker room.
After halftime, Syracuse would not take their foot off the gas, outscoring Colgate 22-12 in the third quarter. The game’s leading scorer, Izoje, and the Orange’s other Australian native, sophomore guard Madeline Potts, played a role in the third quarter scoring, combining for 9 of the 22 points on 4-of-7 shooting.
Potts would finish the game with 10 points, after coming into the game with only nine combined on the season.
“I love playing with my teammates, so I had to opportunity to be able to go out there and have fun and 10 points came from that,” said Potts.
The large lead allowed for Coach Jack to empty the bench, as all 15 rostered Syracuse players got into the game.
“This is one of those games where I can go home and sleep at night because everyone plays, we play well and have success and our leaders led us in a fun game,” said Coach Jack.
With the win, Syracuse improved to 9-1 on the season and 7-0 at home as they prepare to host to Binghamton Bearcats on Tuesday with tipoff set for 7 PM.