Syracuse Women’s Basketball Closes Out 2023 With a Win Over Ranked ACC Opponent, Notre Dame

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — The women’s basketball team advanced to a nine-game winning streak after defeating ranked ACC #13 ranked opponent, Notre Dame, 86-81 on Sunday afternoon.

The Orange jumped out to an early 7-0 lead to start, spearheaded by quick points from Alaina Rice and Alyssa Latham, which prompted the Fighting Irish head coach, Niele Ivey to call a timeout just over two minutes into the game. The Irish fought their way back after the timeout to tie the game 13-13. The teams went bucket for bucket throughout the rest of the quarter, which saw the score tied 19-19 at the end of the game’s first 10 minutes.

Dyaisha Fair hustles back on defense to stop Notre Dame’s Anna DeWolfe.

The tenacity and quickness did not let up in the 2nd quarter, especially going up against an opponent such as freshman Hannah Hidalgo, who had 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals on track to her career high 32 point game.

Going into the half, the Orange led 42-38. The energy from the crowd electrified as swarms of orange cheered their team back into the locker room as they patiently awaited for another exciting half.

Fair goes up for a jumper and splashes it in during the second half.

In the third quarter, Notre Dame strung together a 9-2 run early to take a one-point lead, 49-48. Overall, there were 10 lead changes and 10 scoring ties throughout the game.

However, the fight of the Irish was quickly silenced as Dyaisha Fair does what she does best – letting it fly from downtown.

“They’re a great team,” said Fair. “We had to match their intensity.”

After going 1-8 in the first half from three, Fair knocked down three 3-pointers in a row in the second half. Giving Syracuse a 71-67 lead with less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. The game changing buckets came after the Orange had forced the Irish into six turnovers the Orange were able to capitalize on.

Alyssa Latham, Georgia Woolley, and Alaina Rice all hustle over to help up Kyra Wood.

Fair wrapped up her New Year’s Eve special with 27 points, 14 coming in the fourth quarter. Her response to what statement has this win made?

“It means we’re coming,” said Dyaisha Fair.

Entering the game, Fair ranked 20th in Division I career-scoring. She now has 2,927 points over her collegiate career.

Yet, the win was not sealed without the help of freshman Alyssa Latham, who had 21 points and 12 rebounds, notching her second consecutive double-double, and the fifth of the season.

When asked what it’s like to play at this level as a freshman, Latham took a second to think before responding.

“Oh I’m ready,” said Latham. “This is a new season for us now.”

The Orange (11-1) will have their 2024 debut in Chapel Hill, N.C. to face North Carolina on Thursday, January 4. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m.