The Syracuse Orange women’s basketball team (13-2, 3-1) is leaving LJVM Coliseum with one of its more critical victories so far this season.
The Orange picked up their second Q2 win of 2025-26 and in dominant fashion on the road, beating the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (12-4, 2-2) 73-58 on Sunday afternoon. After a back-and-forth contest to start, Syracuse outscored Wake Forest by 14 in the second half and took total command on both ends coming out of halftime. Its Syracuse’s largest margin of victory over an ACC opponent through four games.
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Syracuse was led by strong scoring performances from Uche Izoje (18 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks) and Laila Phelia (17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals). Both Sophie Burrows (14 points, 4/9 from three) and Shy Hawkins (12 points) also helped contribute for the Orange on offense.
The Orange held Wake Forest in the end to 37% shooting on the day, including a 2/19 mark from three. Grace Oliver (16 points on 7/11 shooting) and Caitlyn Jones (10 points on 5/7 shooting) were the only Demon Deacons to reach double figures.
Izoje had the hot hand early, scoring eight of Syracuse’s first 15 points in the game. She had the first basket for ‘Cuse on a mid-range jumper. Wake Forest would then burst out on a quick 6-0 run before Journey Thompson converted in semi-transition. Syracuse would then go back out in front after Phelia found Izoje for a layup inside, then drove inside for an and-one layup.
The Orange would lead 15-14 heading into the second quarter, which saw both teams trade leads. Syracuse would go up as much as six (25-19) after a steal and fastbreak layup by Hawkins was followed by an inside shot from Keira Scott.
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Then, Wake Forest snatched momentum briefly. Carter and Aurora Sorbye would each connect on threes to push the Demon Deacons out in front (31-27). During an over four-minute stretch, Wake Forest went on a 12-2 run, which also saw Syracuse made just one of its next eight shots.
But, the Orange would respond in the waning minutes of the first half. Syracuse didn’t allow Wake Forest to score any points in the final 2:44 of the second quarter, and a three by Phelia with just a few seconds left would put Syracuse back up 32-31 heading into the locker room.
Izoje led the Orange in the first half with 12 points, while Phelia and Hawkins each had six. A trio of players for Wake Forest scored at least three baskets, with Jones having eight on 4/5 shooting leading into the third quarter.
The beginning of the second half would see Syracuse completely snatch the game away from the Demon Deacons.
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It began with Phelia, who scored the Orange’s first two baskets. The first came on a pump fake, step through layup, then a contested mid-ranger jumper around the free throw line. She and Burrows would then each connect on three-pointers to push out Syracuse’s lead up to 10 points (47-37).
From there, Syracuse’s defensive pressure got to Wake Forest, who would score just one basket in the final six-plus minutes of the third quarter. Prior to that lone basket, the Orange would go on a 16-0 run, capped off by an and-one score from Dominique Darius and a layup off an offensive rebound from Izoje. The Demon Deacons scored just eight points in the third.
An and-one score by Wake Forest’s Emily Johns would trim the Syracuse lead to 13, but after a brief cold spell, Phelia would get the Orange on the board in the fourth quarter. Burrows would then connect on another triple, and a jumper by Hawkins would put Syracuse up 20 points (64-44), enough of a cushion the rest of the way.
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Syracuse is back at home on Thursday night for a matchup against Virginia Tech (11-4, 1-2).
