The first quarter at the Petersen Events Center was a little wobbly for the Orange. They weren’t rebounding, they couldn’t make shots and Pittsburgh was downright outplaying them. Dyaisha Fair, who always seems to be hitting big time buckets, went 0-for-3 from the three-point line and 1-for-5 from field goal range.
Once Fair made her first three-pointer early in the second quarter, it set off a fire amongst her team to start playing with their regular confidence and abilities. Fair wasn’t the only one who made big shots though. Georgia Woolley had a record setting day for herself.
Woolley scored 20 points, going 8-for-18 from field goal range. This marks her most field goal attempts this season as well as her most made field goals. She also racked up five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Alaina Rice was also a large factor for the Orange. She tallied 13 points, five rebounds and four steals; her highest number of steals this season. Rice’s aggressive offensive play style sent her to the free throw line often, where she went 4-for-5. This was her most made free throws this season.
Coach Felisha Legette-Jack said postgame that UConn coach Geno Auriemma told her during a preseason scrimmage that she has a “very good one, two three punch,” with Fair, Woolley and Rice.
“I know that, but hearing it from somebody who is a seasoned vet, who won multiple national titles says a lot about what we’re trying to do.”
Pittsburgh remain winless against ACC conference opponents this season, while Syracuse advances to a 6-1 conference record and 16-2 overall record; their best start in a decade. This coming Thursday, they’ll have their work cut out from them in South Bend, IN as they face 19th ranked Notre Dame.