SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse women’s basketball team filled the JMA Wireless Dome with pink as they played for Coach Kay and Breast Cancer Awareness Thursday night against 14th ranked UNC. Syracuse upset UNC with a final score of 75-67. This game was very meaningful to the Orange because it was their first win against a ranked opponent in the Coach Legette-Jack era. In the last six matchups between both teams (including two games during the 2020-2021 season), Syracuse has had four wins and two losses.
Syracuse kept up with UNC during the first two quarters. Their main objective was to make sure that junior guard Deja Kelly wasn’t left wide open. She owned every single quarter of the game for UNC. There was a total of nine lead changes between the teams and was a game that left the fans on their toes. Syracuse was down 34-32 going into halftime.
Dyaisha Fair led the Orange with 23 points on the night. Fair was officially recognized for reaching 2,500 career points and becoming the second active player in Division I women’s basketball to accomplish this. She fought hard during the game on offense and defense. In addition to leading the team in points, Fair had three rebounds and seven assists. During the post-game press conference, Fair recalls Coach Legette-Jack’s message to the team at halftime. Coach Legette-Jack told them to “pick it up”, and the Orange did just that to continue their two-game winning streak.
Dariauna Lewis was a powerhouse in each quarter of the matchup and proved why she received the “Earn It” hard hat for her performance. Lewis is the first Syracuse player to earn the hard hat three times this season. She had a total of 15 rebounds, 14 points, two assists and one steal. Lewis had her ninth double-double of the season. Her consistency in each and every game is the reason why she’s able to make those extra points.
Teisha Hyman made her comeback after missing the last few games due to a leg injury. She averaged nine points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal.
“These young ladies here showed that once you give them a chance, what they can accomplish,” said Coach Legette-Jack, who was very proud of the win and how her team made it happen.
Syracuse will hit the road to play nationally ranked Notre Dame on Sunday at 4:00 p.m.