Syracuse Women’s Basketball Celebrates Senior Day with Gritty Win over Pittsburgh

In a game filled with emotional highs and lows, the Syracuse Women’s Basketball team battled their way to a hard-fought victory over the Pittsburgh Panthers, securing a 63-53 win on Senior Day. The victory not only marked a significant milestone for the team but also showcased the resilience and determination of their senior leader, Dyaisha Fair.

The game got off to a sluggish start for Syracuse, with Pittsburgh taking an early 12-6 lead midway through the first quarter. However, Fair quickly asserted herself, knocking down a crucial three-pointer to narrow the deficit and inch closer to etching her name in the annals of women’s college basketball history. With a free throw towards the end of the first quarter, Fair solidified her place among the top five all-time scorers in Women’s Division I basketball. Head Coach Felisha Legette-Jack was emotional post-game reflecting on Fair’s journey.

“She came from the bottom of Rochester with that skill set. Nobody was willing to give her a chance, and I had to tell her, I will give you a chance but we have to take care of some things academically. She did the work, not only did she do the work, she came to Buffalo at the front door. Most people have to go through the side door. She did everything to get there. When you tell someone you believe in them and you tell them that they are enough, they will soar and she’s a living example of that.”

As the game progressed, Syracuse encountered difficulties on the offensive end, struggling to find their rhythm and falling behind as Pittsburgh surged ahead to a 30-25 lead at halftime. Despite the deficit, the Orange refused to relent, mounting a spirited comeback in the second half.

Led by the veteran leadership of Fair, along with contributions from Georgia Woolley and Sophie Burrows, Syracuse fought tooth and nail to claw their way back into contention. Despite trailing by as many as double digits in the third quarter, the Orange never lost faith in their ability to rally.

With the game hanging in the balance, Fair stepped up when it mattered most, delivering clutch plays down the stretch to help propel Syracuse to victory.

As the buzzer sounded, Syracuse celebrated not only a crucial win but also a poignant Senior Day ceremony, honoring the contributions of Dyaisha Fair, Alaina Rice, Izabel Varejao, Dominique Camp, and Cheyenne McEvans.

Embracing the significance of her journey, Fair expressed deep emotion, “Coming from Rochester it’s not the easiest place to get from or get out of. To start from there and be able to prove everyone that doubted me. To be able to be a part of the culture Coach Jack instills in her players has made me realize that overtime there’s always light on the other side.”

Syracuse looks to their final game of the regular season at #6 N.C. State Thursday at 7:30 PM.