No luck for Syracuse against Notre Dame in first ACC game of the year

The Syracuse Orange Women’s Basketball team was back in action following a tough loss against Texas A&M last Wednesday.  The team  returned to the JMA Wireless Dome to battle against their toughest test of the season in No. 10 Notre Dame.

Unfortunately for Syracuse the game didn’t go according to plan, as Notre Dame waltzed away with a 93-62 victory. 

“We’re gonna keep fighting,” Syracuse head coach Felisha Legette-Jack said following the defeat. “We’re just going to keep trying to build.”

The Orange had a strong first half, forcing nine turnovers in the first quarter, and keeping the game within range. 

One of the big changing factors was forward Kyra Wood, who left the game at halftime.

Photo by Ike Wood

Journey Thompson struggles past Notre Dames defenses on December 8th at the JMA Wireless dome.

The middle of the third quarter was where the game turned upside down, as the Fighting Irish went on a 16-2 run. 

“We played really well, we found that synergy [in the first half]”, senior guard Georgia Woolley said. “The difference [after halftime] was in transition.”

Notre Dame dominated on the fast break, beating Syracuse in fast break points 37-6. That opened up the game for Notre Dame’s guards. Sonia Clinton, Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles notched at least 20 points each, and combined to shoot  above 55% from the field. 

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“They’re obviously very talented, we knew that coming in”, sophomore guard Sophie Burrows said. “We had a gameplan, we needed to stick to it a bit more.”

Burrows and freshman Keira Scott led the way for the Orange on offense, combining for 29 points. 

Though the game wasn’t what the Syracuse fans hoped, they did get to see the second jersey number retired for Syracuse Women’s basketball. The team raised former center Kayla Alexander’s No. 40 to the rafters.

Alexander is now immortalized for her time with Syracuse basketball, averaging over 15 points and seven rebounds a game from 2009-2013. 

“Seeing that number go up there, it’s amazing,” Alexander said. “I know it says Alexander, but there’s a million people that helped that number go up there.”

Photo by Ike Wood

Angelica Velez preparing to charge the basket on December 8th at the JMA Wireless dome.

She joins Legette-Jack as the only two players in Syracuse women’s basketball history to have their jerseys retired. 

“It’s always great to see when women get recognized,” Legette-Jack said on the legacy of Alexander. “[She is the] most humble lady.”

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Along with the positives, she mentioned the team’s current issues, and that is mostly their lack of point guard play. 

“We’re still searching for a point guard,” she said. “Someone to represent what we’re trying to build.”

The challenge of replacing guard Dysahia Fair, who led the Orange to the Sweet 16 last season and is fourth all-time on the women’s college basketball scoring list, remains.

Point guard Angelica Velez played only ten minutes on the floor today, totaling no points and one assist. 

The fans were credited for being in attendance and supporting women’s hoops by Legette-Jack, and that the program isn’t there yet.

“We’re coming”, she said as she ended her message to the crowd. 

The Orange fall to 4-6 on the season and have over a week off to prepare before they head off on the road to face Binghamton on Dec. 18.