Syracuse Sends Seniors Off with Dominant Win Over Boston College

Syracuse, NY – Syracuse Women’s Basketball (11-17, 6-12 ACC) capped off their regular season at home with a resounding victory over Boston College (15-15, 6-12 ACC) on Sunday evening, avenging an earlier season loss dominantly. Playing perhaps their best game of the year, the Orange led comfortably from start to finish, showcasing composure and confidence on the heels of their recent road win against Pittsburgh. 

The Orange exploded out of the gate, building a 9-point lead in the first quarter and extending it to over 20 points by halftime, outscoring BC 45-20. Syracuse shot 46% from the field in the first half, holding BC to a frigid 25%. Seniors Kyra Wood and Georgia Woolley led the charge with 12 points apiece in the first half. 

Syracuse carried their momentum into the second half and closed out strong. Three Syracuse players finished in double figures, Woolley 19, Sophie Burrows 16, and Wood 14. 

The Orange ultimately dominated the stat sheet with 20 assists compared to BC’s 6. The Orange defense was on lock, forcing 21 turnovers and holding Boston College to just 32% shooting (20/62) overall. 

With two minutes remaining, all five seniors re-entered the game to a standing ovation, receiving heartfelt embraces from the coaching staff as they exited the court. The final buzzer went off, and the Orange walked off the court with an 82-57 victory. 

The team honored its six graduating seniors – Kyra Wood, Georgia Woolley, Izabel Varejao, Saniaa Wilson, Dominique Camp, and Lexi McNabb – as they walked through a tunnel of Syracuse fans with their friends and family.

Felisha Legette-Jack has recognized that this season has been full of ups and downs, but her ultimate goal has always stayed the same: developing her players as great basketball players and people. 

“Help them become one percent better, sometimes that’s tough love, slamming the door in your face, sometimes it’s hugging them when they don’t want the hug, we went through all the gamuts of that, these ladies here,” said Coach Jack in the post conference. 

The ladies closed out the season as best as possible with back-to-back wins. They shift their focus to prepare for the ACC tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina, next week. 

“What we’re growing here is a sisterhood, what were growing here is a family, it’s our family versus their team,” said Coach Jack. “..This is a personal vendetta that we have right now, on growing this thing differently than it was, and ultimately you will see nets cut down.”

Syracuse Women’s Basketball Falls Short Against No. 9 UNC Despite Second-Half Rally

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse women’s basketball returned to the JMA Wireless Dome after a tough trip to California, where they suffered losses to Stanford (79-58) and Cal (75-69). Despite a strong effort in the second half, the Orange fell short against No. 9 North Carolina, losing 68-58 on Thursday. This loss came down to two key factors, early turnovers and points allowed in the paint.

Turnovers Hurt Syracuse, But Defense Forces UNC Mistakes 

Turnovers proved costly, particularly in the second quarter when the game started to slip away. With Syracuse trailing 17-16, the Orange had a chance to take the lead after a missed layup by UNC’s Reniya Kelly. However, a series of costly mistakes turned the momentum in UNC’s favor. Grace Townsend stole the ball and scored, and Syracuse followed up with two more turnovers on their next possessions, putting them down 22-19 late in the quarter.

“We will come together this week…we just have to execute what the game plan is,” Georgia Woolley said.

These self-inflicted mistakes continued to haunt the Orange throughout the game. By halftime, they had committed 11 turnovers, allowing UNC to capitalize with 12 points off those errors. The Tar Heels finished with 19 points off turnovers, which ultimately sealed the deal. 

However, turnovers were an issue for UNC as well. Syracuse’s defense proved its ability to disrupt a top-10 team, forcing 15 second-half turnovers. The Orange converted those mistakes into 12 points as they fought back into the game. Syracuse finished the game with 20 total turnovers, the only other team to force over 20 on this UNC team this season was Duke.  

Points in the paint 

UNC dominated the paint, scoring 40 of their 68 points inside, including 15 on second-chance opportunities. In comparison, Syracuse managed just 20 points in the paint. Maria Gakdeng was a key force down low for the Tar Heels, contributing 14 points in the paint and finishing with a game-high 21 points, the most of any player on the roster. 

“We talked about getting around coming to a full front and tracking the ball and we didn’t do it,” head coach Felisha Legette-Jack said. “We totally missed the game plan on this… and it’s unfortunate we didn’t make that adjustment.” 

Freshman Talent Stepping Up

Freshman point guard Olivia Schmitt took on the challenge of battling back in the second half, maintaining her composure in a big way for this Orange team. Her three-pointers came at crucial moments, with just minutes to go in the third. After an assist from Izabel Varejão, Schmitt sank a three to cut the lead to nine. Less than a minute later, with another assist from freshman Madeline Potts, Schmitt hit another three, making it 48-40. Schmitt finished the game with three three-pointers and a total of nine points.

“All my threes were kind of wide open,” Schmitt said. “So, I knew I had to knock them down….when I come into the game, I have to make an impact, and that comes with making my shots.” 

Aside from her scoring, her composure on the defensive end as a freshman against the No. 9 team did not go unnoticed. In the fourth quarter, she registered four steals, including one with 48 seconds remaining as the Orange tried to battle back.   

Syracuse (10-16, 4-11 ACC) will travel to North Carolina to face Duke Feb 23 at 2 p.m.

Syracuse women’s basketball rallies for victory over Wake Forest

Syracuse women’s basketball won consecutive ACC games for the first time this season, defeating Wake Forest at the JMA Wireless Dome 62-50 Sunday afternoon. The Orange rallied from a double-digit deficit in the first half to defeat the Demon Decans. It was Syracuse’s first win in the Dome since defeating Miami on Jan. 12.

“We don’t have any stop in us,” head coach Felisha Legette-Jack said. “Our young ladies are winning in the locker room, winning in practice … and eventually it’s going to show on the court.”

It was a less-than-ideal start for the Orange. Wake Forest went on a 16-4 run, bridging the first and second quarters. Syracuse’s deficit swelled to as much as 12. But the Orange began to regain momentum just before halftime, going on a 9-2 run to close the first half. The Demon Decans scored just two points in the last four minutes of the second quarter.

The second half was the Georgia Woolley show. The senior guard from Australia scored six points in the third quarter, while Wake Forest scored eight as a team. She scored eight more in the fourth quarter, including a clutch 3-pointer to give the Orange a four-point lead with three minutes left. Woolley finished with a game-high 21 points.

Senior forward Sannia Wilson had seven rebounds, two blocks and a steal coming off the bench. Sophomore guard Sophie Burrows had her second double-double of her career, scoring 15 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, and also had a career-high five steals.

“The defensive side of the ball is where we always make that comeback,” Burrows said. “It’s just trying to pressure the ball, fly around … and I think that’s where we came back into the game.”

Syracuse (10-13, 4-8 ACC) travels to the west coast for a matchup with Stanford on Thursday. Tipoff is set for 10 p.m. ET.

Syracuse Falls Short in the Fourth Quarter to Virginia

Syracuse, NY – In a close game, The Syracuse Orange (8-13, 2-8) women’s basketball team fell 70-67 to the Virginia Cavaliers (12-11, 4-7) Sunday afternoon at the JMA Wireless Dome.

The Syracuse Orange rocked pink uniforms to honor National Girls and Women in Sports Day. Before the game, Syracuse women from various sports hosted an interactive day for girls to try different sports. The kids tested out the rowing machines and tossed the lacrosse balls back and forth. Afterward, the participants cheered on the women’s basketball team.

Syracuse came off a dominant win against the Clemson Tigers, 67-55, but they could not maintain their momentum to secure the home win.

Syracuse played significant defense in this game but could not stop Virginia’s 3-point shooting. Virginia started strong, but Syracuse capitalized quickly halfway through the first quarter.

The game stayed close throughout, with Syracuse dominating the second and third quarters. However, Virginia closed out hard by outplaying Syracuse 18-9 in the fourth, which was sparked by an 11-3 run. Virginia was more consistent from the field and gained energy as the game went on, which is the ultimate storyteller.

During the post-game conference, Coach Legette-Jack said, “We had three great quarters, and then we panicked down the stretch, and we didn’t need to panic.”

Syracuse had opportunities and seemed to have a handle on the game until the end. In the third quarter, Guard Sophie Burrows was on fire behind the arc, landing a career-high 22 points with four three-pointers. Following close behind, Forward Kyra Wood scored 18 points with 15 rebounds and achieved a double-double.

Coach Legette-Jack repeatedly said the team didn’t stick to the game plan and that they would get back to work to execute. Wood also added that she noticed a pattern of the team not finishing the 40 minutes, and they need to do better at closing out each quarter.

“We got to bring out academics to basketball, and once we do that, we are going to be fine,” said Coach Legette-Jack.

The ladies will look to bounce back in conference play when they travel to Virginia Tech on Thursday, February 6, tip-off is set for 6 p.m.

Syracuse Women’s Basketball Falls to #20 NC State in a Close Game

Syracuse, NY – Syracuse came out strong and determined, ready to face the challenge of #20 NC State. Unfortunately, in a back-to-back scoring game, ‘Cuse couldn’t pull through.

Kyra Wood made her presence felt on both ends of the court, dominating the boards and setting up key opportunities for the Orange. The first quarter ended with Syracuse leading 24-15, fueled by Sophie Burrows’ standout performance, as she tallied 9 of her team’s points in the first couple minutes.

Poised, controlled, and dominant—those three words perfectly encapsulate the Orange’s first-half performance. Ending halftime with a 42-32 lead, Syracuse showcased impressive efficiency, shooting 47% from the field. Their signature zone defense stifled the Wolfpack, holding them to a low 10% from beyond the arc and preventing any offensive rhythm.

The second half performance from the Orange followed a familiar pattern. After opening the game with high intensity and energy, Syracuse allowed their opponent to match their pace—and at times, even dictate the flow of the game.

Syracuse managed to maintain their lead into the second half, but the intensity they showcased in the first half began to wane. Kyra Wood stepped up in the third quarter, adding 12 points to her tally and keeping the Orange competitive. She trailed only Georgia Wooley, who finished with 15 points, and Sophie Burrows, the team’s top scorer with 16.

Meanwhile, NC State found their rhythm with sharp ball movement and cohesive play, chipping away at Syracuse’s momentum. The Wolfpack’s Madison Hayes, who led all scorers with 18 points, ignited her team with a clutch and-one to start the fourth quarter, sparking energy on their bench.

Both teams went toe-to-toe, keeping the game tightly balanced from start to finish. The eight point difference in the end score is rather promising for the Orange and showcases the talent they truly do have, considering NC States national ranking at #20.

“Sania took an amazing shot that just didnt go in, but she had the confidence to take it for the first time probably all season. Thats a win for me, thats going to be a win moving forward in the season,” said Head Coach Felisha Leggete-Jack. Defeat and hopefulness is not something Coach jack has in mind. Despite the loss, everything is a learning opportunity to only push to be better.

Syracuse returns to the home court Sunday February, 2nd to take on Virginia at 12:00 p.m.

Syracuse Women’s Basketball Clipped In OT 72-71 vs SMU

Syracuse, NY – Syracuse women’s basketball couldn’t get past the SMU Mustangs in overtime at the JMA Wireless Dome, falling 72-71 on Thursday afternoon. Syracuse is 0-4 in the conference for the first time since the 2005-06 season when they were a part of the Big East and started 0-7.

The game was a back-and-forth affair throughout regulation. The Mustangs grabbed an early six-point lead after the first quarter, but a strong second quarter and late free throws from Shy Hawkins brought the Orange to within one point after the first 20 minutes of play.

Eight Syracuse players scored points in the first half, including Georgia Woolley’s nine points. SMU went another route, using Nya Robertson, one of the best scorers in the entire country. Robertson finished the game with 28 for the Mustangs.

Syracuse had a three-point lead with 30 seconds remaining when SMU’s Kaysia Woods tied the game with a triple that pushed the contest to overtime.

Down 71-70 in overtime, Nya Robertson had the ball with just seconds left. She drove to the hoop and went up with her left hand, and the shot fell with 1.5 seconds remaining. The Orange weren’t able to get off another shot.

“We shouldn’t have lost our discipline… She (Robertson) came through for them,” coach Felisha Leggete-Jack said.

Syracuse returns to the floor on Sunday, January 12th at 6:00 p.m. ET as they look for their first win in 2025 at home against Miami.

Syracuse women’s basketball blows out Yale

Syracuse women’s basketball bounced back from a 27-point loss Tuesday to Creighton in a big way, beating Yale 78-50 Sunday at the JMA Wireless Dome.

The Orange started out cold, making just one of their first 12 shots and having just three points with one minute left in the first quarter before going on a 10-0 run that bridged the first and second quarters. After Yale freshman guard Ciniya Moore scored to give the Bulldogs a 18-16 lead with five minutes left before halftime, the Orange closed the half on a 17-2 run to take a 31-20 lead at the break.

Syracuse switched to a press defense in the second quarter. Yale struggled, committing seven turnovers and shooting 4-17 (23%) in the period. The Orange started to get easier shots in transition around the rim, pulling away and never looking back.

“I think the press really motivated us,” graduate center Izabel Varejão said. “It turned the momentum, and everything really changed after that.”

The Orange continued to use their height advantage to dominate in the second half. The Orange shot 15-17 (88.2%) from the free throw line and scored 26 points in the paint after halftime. For the game, Syracuse outrebounded 45-38.

“Getting to the line says toughness, getting rebounds says toughness,” head coach Felisha Leggate-Jack said. “That’s what we’re trying to be.”

Senior guard Georgia Woolley led Syracuse with 16 points, while Varejão had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman wing Shy Hawkins scored 11 for the Orange.

Syracuse (4-4) travels to College Station, Texas to play Texas A&M in the ACC/SEC Challenge on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 7:15 p.m. ET.

Syracuse WBB Dominates 90-50 in Exhibition Game Against Daemen

Syracuse Hands Fairleigh Dickinson its First Loss with 77-58 Win

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse women’s basketball team dominated Fairleigh Dickinson University in the paint, outscoring the Knights 40-6 and cruising to their second win of the season with a 77-58 victory at the JMA Wireless Dome on Sunday, Nov. 17.  

These teams last met in November 2012. Syracuse improved to 3-0 all-time against FDU and 2-2 on the season. Syracuse has won 28 of their last 29 home games against non-conference opponents. The Knights fell to 4-1. 

The Orange went on a 10-0 run during the game’s first three minutes. Syracuse shot 53% from the field, 44% from three, and outscored FDU 25-16 in the opening quarter. 

In the second quarter, the Orange struggled to add to their lead. They shot 35% from the field, made only one three-pointer, and led 40-30 at halftime. 

The third quarter was Syracuse’s best. Five minutes into the quarter, Syracuse went on a 16-7 run to take a 56-37 lead. The Orange were 10 of 15 from the field, 2 of 3 from three-point range, and outscored the Knights 23-11. Syracuse led 63-41 heading into the final quarter, their largest lead.

The Orange played a cleaner game, committing only five turnovers compared to the 21 they had in the loss against St. Joseph’s University on Nov. 10. They scored 16 points off FDU turnovers.

Syracuse head coach Felisha Legette-Jack said she looks forward to the rest of the season. 

“I think we have a really good team, a solid team. We don’t have any special players. This team could be really special,” Legette-Jack said. 

Eleven Syracuse players scored, and three finished the game in double figures. Senior forward Kyra Wood scored 12 points, and sophomore guard Sophie Burrows had 11 points. Graduate student Izabel Varejao scored 10 points and grabbed seven rebounds. The Orange had 30 points off the bench and 15 second chance points. 

The Syracuse Orange will conclude their five-game homestand at the JMA Wireless Dome on Wednesday, Nov. 20, when they take on UAlbany at 7 p.m. 

Syracuse Women’s Basketball Falls Short 84-73 to #11 Ranked Maryland

SYRACUSE, NY- Wednesday, November 13th marked the seventh meeting between these teams, with the Lady Terps once again securing a road victory here at the JMA Wireless Dome. After tonight’s win against the Orange, Maryland’s perfect record improves to 7-0.

The Orange had a strong and exciting start in the first quarter. From the opening moments, the team displayed high intensity, quickly putting points on the board. Their speed and endurance were evident as they efficiently transitioned up and down the court, making an impact on both offense and defense.

Senior guard Georgia Woolley was instrumental in the Orange’s dominant start to the game. She accounted for the team’s first eight points right from the opening moments, showcasing her versatility with two three-pointers and a strong finish inside the paint. Her quick scoring burst helped set the tone for the team, energizing her teammates and establishing a fast-paced, aggressive style of play that carried through the first quarter.

“I think we came into the game really focused as a team. The start that we had out there, we were really locked in and we owned that,” said guard Georgia Woolley.

With the first quarter looking very promising for the Orange, it eventually simmered down with strong pursuits from Maryland players Kaylene Smikle and Allie Kubek, who combined for 38 points for their team. In the second quarter Maryland scored 15 unanswered points, turning it into a 25-5 extended run. Throughout the last three quarters, it was evident that Maryland’s dominance in size and cohesive play was too much for Syracuse to keep up with, eventually leading to the Terps taking home the win.

Although Syracuse wasn’t able to leave the Dome with a 2-1 record, the improvement and learning aspects is what is most important to Head Coach Felisha Legette-Jack.

“Camaraderie, sisterhood, having each others back, and communication is what we are trying to build here, and learning to continue on into next games,” said Coach Jack.

On Sunday, November 17th at 2 p.m., the Orange takes on Fairleigh Dickinson here at the JMA Wireless Dome.

Syracuse Women’s Basketball Can’t Slow Down St. Joseph Losing 84-70

Syracuse, NY – Syracuse women’s basketball couldn’t keep up with the hot shooting of St Joseph losing at the JMA Wireless Dome 84-70. This loss snaps a very impressive 27 game winning streak for the Orange at home vs non-conference opponents.

Syracuse controlled the first quarter leading 22-14, but after the opening 10 minutes, the visiting Hawks dominated the game with their high powered offense and efficient shooting from three point range. The Orange defense wasn’t able to slow down St Joseph once they got into a rhythm.

The Hawks made 14 of their 26 three point attempts, compared to just six made threes on 13 attempts from the Orange. The big issue for the Orange defense was not talking and helping each other out.

“They made us pay every single time that we didn’t communicate,” coach Felisha Leggete-Jack said.

The Hawks had two scorers contribute for 54 of the team’s 84 points. Talya Brugler dropped in 29 points, while Mackenzie Smith had 25 of her own.

“We just didn’t do a good enough job with our defense,” senior guard Georgia Wooley said. “We knew how we needed to come out and defend and we didn’t do that and didn’t communicate well enough so we’ll get better at that.”

Syracuse return’s to the court on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET at home against Maryland. The Orange look to avenge a narrow two point loss against the Terrapins from last year.

“From Tipoff to Takeover: Syracuse Hoops Prepare for the 2025 Season”

As anticipation for the 2025 ACC basketball season builds, the Syracuse men’s and women’s teams returned from ACC Tipoff with more than just words, they’re setting the tone for what’s ahead. With a mix of veteran leadership and new talent, Syracuse made one thing clear, they’re ready to fill the Dome this season.

Poised for a breakthrough on the women’s side, Coach Felisha Legette-Jack, Kyra Wood, and Georgia Woolley shared a common theme at ACC Tipoff rewriting the team’s narrative.

Since losing Dyaisha Fair, some might question Syracuse women’s basketball’s ability to remain competitive, but that’s not a concern for Legette-Jack.

“We’re going to come at you differently this year. A lot of people don’t understand how great we can be because Dyaisha left, but guess what, We can be good, and they’re going to see that,” Legette-Jack said.

This year’s team is focused on resilience and elevating their game with a talented roster ready to make an impact. Veteran forward Kyra Wood spoke clearly about the team’s posture.

“This is college basketball—everyone transfers, everyone graduates, everybody leaves or goes to the next level. So we roll with the punches and adjust from there. We’re really excited to step up to the plate, take the challenge, and embrace it!” Wood said.

On the men’s side, Head Coach Adrian Autry, now in his second year after succeeding legendary coach Jim Boeheim, has a level-headed approach.

“I’m enjoying it. I still get to bounce things off Coach [Jim Boeheim] because he’s still around. But for me, being adaptable, building this team, and having fun is what we’re looking to do this year,” Autry said.

JJ Starling and Chris Bell joined Coach Autry at ACC Tipoff in North Carolina. Bell expressed confidence in Autry’s leadership.

“I like to refer to Coach Autry as “Kobe Smart” in basketball. He has an intelligent mind, he’s aggressive in everything he does, and he lets you know you have a job to do. He makes sure we’re prepared for everything. He’s calm and collected and takes it step by step,” Bell said.

For both the men’s and women’s teams, this season is about stepping into the spotlight, armed with confidence and fueled by a hunger to remain competitive. Syracuse isn’t just coming to play—they’re coming to conquer.

The women’s team kicks off the preseason with an exhibition game in the Dome on Oct. 29, and the men’s team begins theirs on Oct. 26.

Lack of Physicality Sees Orange Stunned by Blue Devils

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse came into this matchup with Duke on a five-game win streak and looked to keep the momentum going heading into the final week of the regular season. Even though the Blue Devils turned the ball over 27 times, the Orange were out-rebounded 52-25 and lost 58-45.

Syracuse and Duke traded baskets through the opening ten minutes of play. The Orange gave up the first four points of the contest, but they fought back to bring their deficit to within three by the end of the quarter. Dyaisha Fair led the team in scoring, but four different players got involved offensively.

The Orange saw the game slip out of their hands in the second quarter as the Blue Devils came out hot on a 10-4 run that lasted until the media timeout. After the break, Duke found another gear and scored 11 of the final 13 points in the first half that sent Coach Legette-Jack storming into the locker room. Her team was not only losing by 18, but it was losing the rebound battle by 19.

“The rebounding thing to me is the easiest thing in the world,” said Coach Jack. “Rebounding is toughness, and credit to Kara Lawson and her team. They out-toughed us today.”

Syracuse came back to life in the third quarter as it started the second half on a 9-3 run through the first three-and-a-half minutes of play thanks to Fair scoring seven of the nine while Georgia Woolley knocked in two foul shots. Over the final six minutes of the frame, it quickly became a defensive battle as the offenses slowed down.

The defensive stalemate carried over into the fourth quarter as the first five minutes saw just 10 points combined between the two teams as the visitors scoring seven of the 10. Syracuse just could not muster any offense as shots continued to be blocked or bounce out off the rim, and the inability to rebound quickly became an eyesore. Fair added seven more points to finish the night with a total of 22 while Woolley hit a three, and Sophie Burrows added a pair of free throws.

While the Orange fought all 40 minutes, it was an uphill battle for much of the game. They last had the lead with just over two minutes to go in the first quarter and tried to play catch up the final 32 minutes as the Blue Devils held on for the win.

“Today required us to dig deep into our discipline and our focus and our fight,” said Coach Jack. “We didn’t do that, and when you get beat 52-25 on the boards, the fight wasn’t working. I take full responsibility for that, and we will get better.”

Syracuse is back in action Sunday for the final home game of the season when it hosts Pitt in an ACC matchup. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

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.

Syracuse Women’s Basketball Knocks off #15 Louisville in ACC Matchup Thriller

The Syracuse women’s basketball team faced 15th ranked Louisville in the JMA Wireless Dome on Sunday. The Orange were looking for revenge as they faced the Cardinals 11 days ago and lost by 12 points. 

The Cardinals led most of the game but fell short in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. Syracuse was having trouble finishing their shots and Louisville was capitalizing on, but it was the Orange’s defense that led them to victory. 

Louisville shot 65% from the field in the first quarter and they did not miss on the line. The Cardinals were 23-24 on free throws. By the end of the game the Cardinals ended up at 40% with field goals. 

The defense stepped up in today’s matchup as the Orange had 12 blocks. Six of those blocks were from freshman Alyssa Latham. Coming off the bench, Latham has been a key player that rises to the occasion and changes the monument when needed. 

The two staple pieces Dyaisha Fair and Georgie Wooley continued to be the backbone of this team. Fair had 29 points and Wooley recorded 14. Nyla Harris led the Cardinals with 22 points. 

An intentional foul was called on Olivia Cochran which gave Dyaisha Fair two opportunities at the free throw line. Fair made both which sealed the deal for the Orange with two seconds remaining. 

Fair said it felt like she was the only one in the Dome. 

“Of course everyone was cheering,” she said. “For me it was tunnel vision. I didn’t see or hear anyone although Coach was telling my dad to be quiet on the sideline. It was just a locked in moment. My team is counting on me, I’m counting on me, and it was time to come through.”

Felisha Legget-Jack said she is grateful to be a part of this program. 

“I am so blessed and lucky to be a part of this institution,” she said. “I want to fight everyday to make everyone that’s connected to this University proud.” 

Syracuse will travel down to Coral Gables on Thursday to face Miami. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.

Orange Win Thriller, Showcase Their Depth

On Thursday night the Syracuse Orange rallied from behind to take down Georgia Tech 62-59 in a hard-fought ACC battle.

It was Izabel Varejao’s first game back on the court. Fittingly, it was the front-court that won it for the Orange.

In a game that would come down to the final shot (twice), the Orange prevailed. Coach Felisha Legette-Jack praised her teams resiliency, and that they were, as Syracuse was forced to rally from as much as an 8 point deficit in the first half of play to pull out their 19th victory on the season.

The start was rocky, as Dyaisha Fair struggled to find her range (something she usually finds quite quickly), finishing only 2-8 from behind the arc on the night. This combined with 4-9 three-point shooting from Georgia Tech in the first half saw the Yellow Jackets take a 31-28 lead into the halftime break.

But Varejao, in her first game back, just wouldn’t let her team lose. She dropped 13 points and 7 rebounds on the night while coming off the bench for the Orange, as the frontcourt as a whole shouldered the load, scoring 34 of the Oranges 62 points.

The game would eventually come down to the final possession for the Yellow Jackets, who, after a pair of missed free throws by the Orange, had two solid looks at 3s to tie it. Both missed the mark though, as Syracuse secured the comeback victory.

This game was huge for Syracuse in ways that go well beyond the box score. If the Orange want to make a deep run in March Madness this year, they’ll need to be able to win games like this. What do I mean by games like this? Games where Dyaisha Fair doesn’t score her usual 21-4-3. Games where other players have to step to center stage, and step there in a way which will continue to build the belief coach Jack already has in her squad.

It felt like the Orange needed this win, and they got it… and that’s what college basketball is all about in February and March. It doesn’t have to be pretty, it doesn’t even have to be convincing, but it has to be a W, and that it was.

GALLERY: Syracuse Suffers First Home Loss of the Season in Crushing Defeat to Virginia Tech

Another Record-Breaking Night for Dyaisha Fair Leads Syracuse to its 15th Straight Home Win

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse Women’s basketball did it again. After completing a 19-point comeback against Clemson, they managed to erase an 18-point second-half lead for No. 15 Florida State. This is the second-ranked team that the Orange have defeated this season.

Dyaisha Fair continues putting her name all over the record books in NCAA and Syracuse history. After scoring her 3,000 career point last game she broke Syracuse Women’s program record for most threes in a game by draining NINE threes overall. She also surpassed 1,000 career points at Syracuse and surpassed Maya Moore in all-time points.

“To be in company with some of those great names, it feels great. I’m the smallest one in the book and it’s just again incredible,” said Dyaisha Fair.

Incredible is the best word to describe Fair’s performance. She led everybody with 31 points, shooting 9-of-14 from behind the arc.

In the first half, the Seminoles used a quick offense, getting shots off with about 20 seconds left and their height to bully Syracuse down low. Florida State grabbed 24 rebounds to Syracuse’s lowly 10. Two Seminoles players, Brianna Turnage and Makayla Timpson, had 15 rebounds alone.

At halftime Coach Legette-Jack challenged the bigs to show up in the second half and flip the script.

“The bigs needed to show up and get on the board. We weren’t boxing out, we weren’t really owning our power. Just not being disciplined and we had to lock in on that and lock in on what we are taught in practice,” said Kyra Wood.

They did just that led by junior Kyra Wood. After only having two rebounds in the first, she stepped up and controlled the glass in the second finishing with nine rebounds total. Syracuse as a team grabbed 12 offensive rebounds which led to 11 second-chance points in the second half.

When Syracuse wasn’t grabbing rebounds, Dyaisha Fair was scoring the ball. She gave the Orange the lead on a Sophie Burrows assist with 3:35 left in the game and hit a dagger three less than a minute later. Syracuse went on to win 79-73.

With the win, the Orange improved to 15-2 and 5-1 in ACC play. Up next Syracuse will go on the road against Pittsburgh. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 21.

Syracuse’s Stellar Offense Stuns Pittsburgh

For the second time this season, Syracuse defeated Pittsburgh. This time their 69-58 victory came on the road in front of a sparse crowd. Regardless of the attendance, Syracuse put on a show behind the three point line.

“This was the best offensive performance this season,” coach Adrian Autry remarked postgame.

Statistically, they shot over 50 percent from three; their highest number this season. Earlier this season, the Orange struggled from three. Poor shot selection and fundamentals hurt their average.

J.J. Starling, last night’s leading scorer, said postgame that his team has been working to improve in practice.

“We know as a team that we’re more than capable of hitting threes, and in practice we’re making sure that the ball is moving, we’re not taking tough ones and that’s what we did today.”

Seven of the ten players who saw the court scored at least one three pointer. An unlikely contributor was big man Quadir Copeland. Copeland said that he hoped his shot would give others on the team the confidence to keep shooting.

“At the end of the day, I feel like no one has a worst percentage than me so if I’m shooting them then they definitely should be.”

Judah Mintz, another three point scorer, said that seeing his teammates make big buckets is one of the best feelings.

“It means everything. We saw Quadir take a crazy three at the end of the shot clock, J.J. hit a couple, Justin Taylor hitting some on the road was big for us.

Coach Autry also noted that this was Mintz’s “best floor game all year.” Not only did he tally 14 points, but he also chipped in 5 assists, 9 rebounds and two steals.

The offense wasn’t the only thing rolling last night. The Orange’s defensive efforts only allowed two Pittsburgh players to score double-digits. One of those being Pitt’s most talented shooter Blake Hinson.

Coach Autry explained what went into shutting Hinson down.

“When you have high level players like that, you know that they’re going to get shots so you want to make it tough. I thought we did a good job of trying to keep someone in his face.”

The Orange will take on the Miami Hurricanes this Saturday at noon at the JMA Wireless Dome in another ACC Conference match-up.

Dyaisha Fair Surpasses 3,000 Career Points in Syracuse’s Comeback Victory Against Clemson

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – On a historic day for guard Dyaisha Fair, Syracuse would not be denied. 

Although the Orange trailed by as many as 19 points, Syracuse mounted a monstrous second-half rally to beat Clemson 83-82. This was the greatest comeback under head coach Felisha Legette-Jack. 

To make this win even more special, Fair became the 16th player in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history to achieve the 3,000 career points milestone.

“Today was even more special with Dyaisha Fair,” Legette-Jack said. “Someone said she was 5’4”, but they forgot to measure her heart.”

After a disappointing two points in the first half, Fair delivered with 19 second-half points including 14 in the fourth quarter. The outburst started when Fair hit a big three to end the third, and the momentum shifted in Syracuse’s favor.

“It was a bit of a struggle for me in the first half,” Fair said. “I just kept going forward, kept trying. Whatever my best effort was, that’s what it would have resulted in…but when that shot went down, it just allowed me to breathe a little different.”

Facing a double-digit deficit with 6:31 left in the game, the Orange went on a 14-0 run to take the lead for the first time. Fair scored or assisted on all points during this stretch, which included a key free-throw that gave her 3,000 career points.

Clemson would continue to persist, as forward Amari Robinson scored a career-high 37 points. With 25 points in the second-half, including 15 in the fourth quarter, Robinson made major baskets to keep the Tigers afloat.

In the final minutes, junior forward Kyra Wood hit two and-one buckets to extend Syracuse’s advantage to four. After Robinson managed to tie the game, sophomore guard Kennedi Perkins made a crucial layup to retake the lead with under a minute to go. Out of the timeout, Robinson hit a huge three to give Clemson a one-point lead with 30 seconds left.

Time winding down, Fair drove and passed the ball to freshman forward Alyssa Latham for an open layup with seven seconds left. On the final possession, the Orange defensive intensity would be enough to remain perfect at home this season.

Latham finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Even though 12 of her 14 came in the first half, Latham’s only bucket in the second came at the most crucial moment of the game.

“I think what really led to that was just staying ready the whole game,” Latham said. “Doing the little things, staying focused, staying composed because you never know when it’s going to be your turn.”

Senior guard Alaina Rice scored 16 points, to go along with two assists and six rebounds. As a team, Syracuse grabbed 21 offensive rebounds, including five from Wood, to complete the comeback.

Ball pressure was essential in this game, as both teams combined for a total of 40 turnovers. On the perimeter, junior guard Georgia Woolley had six steals while also putting up 14 points, grabbing four rebounds and dishing five assists. 

“Georgia is a most incredible defensive, energetic, enthusiastic player,” coach Legette-Jack said. “I told her she’s the toughest player I have ever coached.”

As Fair’s teammate at Syracuse and Buffalo, Woolley knows this team feeds through her and knew she was capable of reaching 3,000 career points.

“It’s not even a surprise, “ Woolley said. “I expect it…she’s a phenomenal player and just all credit to her, she put in all the work to be who she is.”

Fair will be celebrated during the team’s next game for her place on the women’s college basketball all-time points list. 

“I’ve been told just recently that I need to start to celebrate myself,” Fair said. “That’s what I’m going to do.”

Syracuse was ranked No. 25 in the USA Today Coaches Poll for the first time this season.

At 14-2 and 4-1 in ACC play, the Orange will play the ranked Seminoles at home Thursday night. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. Florida State was ranked No. 15 in the AP Top 25 and No. 18 in the USA Today poll.