Syracuse routs Mercyhurst 106-40 in School Day

Syracuse used the energy of a raucous School Day crowd to roll past Mercyhurst 106-40 on Wednesday in its non-conference finale at the JMA Wireless Dome.

The announced attendance of 10,226 marked the second-largest crowd in program history, as children from schools across the area created a deafening atmosphere for the 10:30 a.m. tipoff.

The Orange set the tone early, outscoring Mercyhurst 32-12 in the opening quarter. Junior guard Angelica Velez capped the period with a buzzer-beating heave from nearly half court after slipping past two defenders.

Syracuse shot a season-high 59% from the field and held its opponent under 50 points for the sixth time this season, producing its largest margin of victory of the year.

“I’m proud of this team,” head coach Felicia Legette-Jack said. “We went 11-1 in non-conference. We put a schedule together that was going to be competitive, but also an opportunity to have success.”

Freshman forward Uche Izoje scored a career-high 23 points on 10-for-12 shooting and added 11 rebounds while anchoring the paint defensively.

“I got 23 points this time, and I’m not there yet. I want more,” Izoje said. “Looking forward to the big games coming.”

Syracuse forced 22 turnovers and converted them into 38 points. Sophomore forward Keira Scott recorded the first double-double of her career with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Four others scored in double figures, including sophomore wing Shy Hawkins.

“Our foot is on the gas every game. Playing at a fast pace is our team,” Hawkins said. “We’re athletic and we’re fast, and that’s how we get a lot of our points — transition.”

With ACC play approaching, Legette-Jack said the Orange will not deviate from their identity.

“We’re resolute. We’re not going to apologize for who we are,” she said. “We’re coming the way we come.We’re not adjusting. We’re coming through your chest. We’re blue collar, and we’re coming.”

Legette-Jack, a Syracuse native, said the School Day environment reminded her of attending Orange games as a child.

“We understood what was going on,” she said. “I see it percolating here again. We’re going to get some more great players to come through these doors, because they continue to come watch our game.”

Photo by Matthew Crisafulli

Syracuse fans enjoy their day at Syracuse’s “School Day” game with one lucky fan (right) able to snag a t-shirt during halftime on Friday.

Syracuse improved to 9-0 at home. While encouraged by the team’s progress, Legette-Jack emphasized staying focused on the present.

“We certainly want to get to the postseason. We certainly want to win the ACC championship and all that fun stuff. That’s tomorrow,” she said. “I want those young ladies to understand they are doing something different that hasn’t happened in a long time. We’re putting Syracuse women’s basketball back on the map.”

The Orange will take a brief holiday break before returning to practice on Christmas Day. Syracuse opens ACC play at home against Duke on Sunday, Dec. 28.