Syracuse women’s basketball: the Orange seal the deal with a 71-64 win over Boston College

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The #25 Syracuse Orange (12-2, 2-1) defeated the Boston College Eagles (9-7,1-2) 71-64 at the JMA Wireless Dome on Sunday night.. The Orange maintained their undefeated streak at the dome, now standing at an impressive 9-0.

While the Orange is traditionally recognized for their offensive prowess, it was their defense that secured the win. In contrast, the Eagles, known for their ability to force turnovers and their reliance on zone defense, met their match against the Orange’s defensive strategy.

The game’s standout player was undoubtedly freshman Sophie Burrows, who set career highs in points, rebounds, and minutes played. With a remarkable performance, Burrows recorded 17 points and 8 rebounds, showcasing her versatility by shooting 6 for 10, including an impressive 3 for 6 from beyond the arc. I am looking forward to seeing Burrows continue to showcase her talents in upcoming games.

Additionally, Kennedy Perkins notched a new career high with 9 points off the bench. Despite Woolley’s 6 points, her impact across the game was evident, recording 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and two steals on the defensive end. Alyssa Latham, another defensive powerhouse, contributed significantly with 6 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks, and three steals. Saniaa Wilson fouled out after scoring 2 for 2 from the line but managed to tie Burrows with 8 rebounds. It could’ve been an entirely different game if it wasn’t for the defense.

In the beginning of the first quarter, The Orange were scoreless but they played solid defense and were only down by 6. Syracuse missed their first 8 shot attempts but Kyra Wood came through and made the first bucket of the game, shooting a layup after being fed the ball by Dyaisha Fair. The Orange faced a scoreless start early in the first quarter. Despite the offensive challenges, their solid defense kept the deficit at just 6 points. The tradition of Syracuse fans standing and clapping until the first basket is made in the Dome turned into an extended applause as the team took longer than usual to score, marking the lengthiest standing ovation of the season. Kyra Wood broke the spell with a layup, getting the Orange on the board. The first half unfolded as a defensive battle featuring low scores and frequent turnovers for both teams. At halftime, Syracuse led 32-22, but a statistic revealed that 14 of Boston College’s 22 points resulted from turnovers committed by the Orange. The turnovers made up the Eagles’ offense and they took full advantage.

Throughout the game, Boston College struggled from beyond the arc, managing only 3 successful shots out of 16 attempts. Their offense relied heavily on defense and driving into the paint. Despite the sluggish start, the Orange mounted a comeback in the third quarter, finishing strong. “Ugly wins are better than pretty losses,” said Coach Legette-Jack after the game.

Credit: https://www.nunesmagician.com/2024/1/8/24029608/syracuse-womens-basketball-the-orange-seal-the-deal-with-a-win-over-boston-college-eagles-acc