Fans at the Syracuse Orange (19-5, 9-4) women’s basketball game remained standing the entire first quarter. Unforunately they were standing because the Orange failed to make a field goal against the #6 Louisville Cardinals (22-4, 12-1) for a full quarter.
Louisville went up 28=6 and kept the Syracuse fans up for the longest stand and clap I can remember. It looked like the Orange were in for a long afternoon, but as bad as the first went, the second was outstanding. Felisha Legette-Jack’s squad came roaring back in the second quarter behind Domonique Darius.
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Darius hit three 3s and the Syracuse defense was able to turn the Cardinals over leading to 13 points off turnovers. The Orange out-scored Louisville 30-16 in the 2nd to make it a game.
In the second half, Syracuse got within 5 a couple of times, bnt Louisville had quick responses each time. Laura Zeigler had 22 points on 10-13 shooting and hit several open jumpers to keep the Cardinals in control. Syracuse faded in the final quarter and Louisville pulled away to a comfortable win.
Darius ended up with 22 points on 7-7 shooting from the field. Uche Izoje added 13 points and 8 rebounds, while Lelia Phelia and Sophie Burrows had tough shooting days, combining to go 6-27 from the field (1-11 from 3).
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The Orange will play at Pitt on Thursday night. After the loss, Syracuse is now tied for 5th in the ACC with Virginia.
Yesterday’s game also marked the retirement of Kathrine Switzer’s 261 bib number as part of Women In Sports Day. It’s nice to see Syracuse mark this moment in the Dome.
