SYRACUSE, N.Y.– The Orange picked up their 10th win of the season in a 85-43 onslaught of Saint Francis University on Thursday morning.
The JMA Dome hosted its annual School Day, hosting 9,109 students from 55 schools across Central New York. It was the second-highest attendance total in the event’s history.
“We love giving the kids an opportunity to come to the game and enjoy themselves,” said Syracuse’s Kyra Wood. “Women’s basketball deserves the same attention… it’s a step in the right direction.”
The Orange got going early, igniting a 23-0 run to start the game. Dyaisha Fair played a huge role, dropping eight points in the opening quarter. She came off the bench for just the second time this season but led the team in minutes logged.
Fair finished with 17 points, representing one of the five Syracuse players to score in double figures. The performance also marked a milestone for the fifth-year guard as she passed Villanova’s Maddie Siegrist on the all-time career points list, moving into 20th place with 2,900 points. She is second amongst active players, trailing only Iowa’s Caitlin Clark.
Wood, Alaina Rice and Alyssa Latham each recorded a double-double in the win, a tremendous output for the Orange. The trio combined for 35 points and 35 rebounds, leading the way for a dominant Syracuse outing.
Syracuse’s Georgia Woolley scored her 1,000th career point in the contest. The Brisbane, Australia native was able to accomplish the feat with her family in attendance.
“It was really lovely,” said Woolley. “The support that my teammates gave me after the game… it just showed me how much you are appreciated around here.”
SFU was unable to get much going on offense in the first half. The Red Flash were held to just 15 points in the first 20 minutes, failing to score more than nine in either quarter. Sophomore guard Destini Ward led the way with nine points on just 19% shooting.
Syracuse head coach Felisha Leggette-Jack had endless praise for her squad as it gets set for a five-day break for the holidays.
“One thing I know for sure: this is an unselfish team,” said FLJ. “I know for sure that none of [the players] care who gets the credit as long as we have success… I really enjoy this team.”
Syracuse improved to 10-1 on the season, the second-best overall record in the ACC behind #3 NC State. The AP Top 25 poll credited the Orange with just three votes in the latest poll, placing Syracuse on the outside.
That does not bother FLJ at all.
“The only voters that matter are those 13 players on our team and the five coaches that coach the team,” she said. “We’ve got 18 votes already.”
Syracuse next plays on New Year’s Eve when the Orange host #14 Notre Dame, opening up ACC play for the two schools.
