URGENT UPDATE: The Syracuse women’s basketball team just delivered a commanding performance, defeating Florida State 82-72 in the JMA Wireless Dome on January 12, 2023. This victory comes as a vital rebound after their recent 20-point loss to Duke, propelling Syracuse (12-2, 2-1 ACC) back into NCAA Tournament contention.
From the opening tip, the Orange took control and never looked back. Just 21 seconds into the game, Laila Phelia ignited the crowd with a jumper, setting the tone for a dominant outing. Syracuse’s lead grew throughout the game, underscored by two pivotal alley-oops that sealed their victory.
Freshman sensation Uche Izoje showcased her prowess, finishing with an impressive 21 points, 17 rebounds, and four blocks. In a nail-biting moment, with the Seminoles closing the gap to just two points, Izoje executed a critical alley-oop layup from Sophie Burrows with 56.8 seconds remaining, extending the Orange’s lead to 76-72. This was a mirror image of an earlier alley-oop connection that had kept Syracuse ahead.
Dominique Darius also made a significant impact, contributing 19 points and setting a quick rhythm with six points within the first two minutes. Burrows rounded out the effort with a strong all-around performance, posting 12 points, eight rebounds, and five assists.
The Seminoles, now at 5-10 and 0-3 in ACC play, were led by Sole Williams, who matched Izoje’s scoring with 21 points. Despite their efforts, Florida State could not overcome the steady performance of the Orange.
This win is crucial for Syracuse, who are currently hovering near the NCAA Tournament cut line, as noted in Charlie Creme’s latest ESPN Bracketology. With the NCAA’s NET rankings categorizing nine of their twelve wins as Quad 4 victories, securing this victory may position them favorably as they aim for a postseason berth.
Looking ahead, Syracuse will face Wake Forest on Sunday at 2 p.m. The Demon Deacons, holding an 11-3 record and a NET ranking of 117, will be looking to challenge the Orange further as they continue their campaign.
Stay tuned for more updates as Syracuse aims to build on this momentum!
