The Syracuse Orange women’s basketball team (8-1, 1-0) has been struggling to make shots from beyond the arc, but that changed in Dallas yesterday. Syracuse used a strong first quarter and then held on for a 78-69 road win over the SMU Mustangs (4-6, 0-1).
Sophie Burrows led Syracuse with 22 points on 5-10 shooting from 3. Laila Phelia added 19 points. Domonique Darius (13) and Journey Thompson (10) also scored in double-figures as Syracuse grabbed their third-straight win.
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Syracuse jumped out to a 25-9 lead after the first quarter behind five made threes. On the other end of the floor, the Orange held SMU to 4-18 shooting and scored 11 points off turnovers. For the game, Syracuse finished with 9 steals and 9 blocks-8 coming from Uche Izoje.
It had to be a welcome sight for Felisha Legette- Jack as she watched Burrows knock down early shots. As she has all season, Burrows made an impact in other areas finishing with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals.
Syracuse came out of the break and found the range from deep again- going 4-9 in the quarter. The teams ended up both scoring 20 in the 3rd and Syracuse was up 15 going into the fourth. A Burrows 3 pushed the lead up to 17, but SMU chipped away until the final minutes keeping within 10-12 points and allowing for some nervous moments.
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With SMU threatening to get closer than 8 points and put some pressure on Syracuse, the Orange were able to stall every run with a score of their own. Phelia and Thompson were strong in the final three minutes of the game, combining for 10 points in the final 4:07 as Syracuse held on for a win in their ACC opener.
Syracuse ended up 11-28 from 3, knocked down 9-12 from the foul line and won the rebounding battle 39-31. The team was able to survive foul trouble from Izoje and Darius to get their ACC slate started with a road win. The latest NET rankings have them ranked 41st.
The Orange will be back in action on Wednesday night when they host the Colgate Raiders (4-4). Game tips at 7:00 and streams on ACCNX.
