SU extends win streak to five with standout performance by Dominque Darius

Syracuse women’s basketball entered its third non-conference matchup of the season against Binghamton with two clear goals: snap the Bearcats’ three-game winning streak and defend its undefeated record inside the JMA Wireless Dome. 

The Orange accomplished both, pulling away for a 72-54 victory behind a dominant rebounding effort, consistent scoring in the paint, and a standout all-around performance from guard Dominique Darius. 

The win improved Syracuse to 10-1 on the season, its best since the 2023-2024 campaign. Binghamton came in at 6-3 riding strong momentum. It showed early fight but struggled to keep pace with Syracuse’s physicality after the first quarter.

SU head coach Felisha Legette-Jack says the game didn’t start out in favor of the Orange.

“We allowed them to punch first by sitting back. Before the second quarter, we talked about getting into attack mode and playing our game.” Legette-Jack said. “Push the ball forward, not east-west.”

Dominique Darius agreed with her coach’s opinion on how the game started.

 “We weren’t attacking the gaps enough, we sometimes overpass.” Darius said. “We should attack the seams more and get to the eye of the ball to kick out threes.”

Syracuse found its offensive spark in the second quarter, and it all started with Darius. She drained a three-pointer early to give the Orange a four-point lead- their largest advantage at the time- then followed it up with another deep corner three on the next possession. 

By the seven-minute mark, Darius had scored 12 of Syracuse’s 24 points, accounting for half of the team’s offense and forcing Binghamton to adjust defensively. The guard says her performance is team-oriented and she strives to circulate the ball. 

“I take what the defense gives me. I’m confident to step up and make those shots. Early on, the defense helped me attack the basket, then get my run to my three, and after that, I tried to facilitate and look for my teammates.” Darius said.

The Orange capitalized on their momentum by attacking the paint. Syracuse strung together two three-point field goals and tallied on a three-point foul play from Shy Hawkins, widening the lead to 33-16. Binghamton responded with resilience and grit, converting two three-point bursts from guard Bella Pucci to cut into the deficit, but Syracuse maintained control and entered halftime leading 39-28.

Coming out of the locker room, SU asserted itself on the glass. The Orange opened the third quarter on a 4-0 run and dominated the boards on both ends, limiting Binghamton’s second chances while creating their own. That breakthrough gave the orange a 43-28 lead, and the Bearcats never managed to close the gap back to single digits.

Despite shooting just 2-12 from the three-point range midway through the third quarter, Syracuse continued to stretch the lead through offensive rebounds and interior scoring.

A three-pointer from Angelica Velez, who has been shooting 16.7% from beyond the arc this season, sparked a run that included two additional baskets in the paint, capping a defensive stretch that allowed Syracuse to push its lead to 55-31 late in the quarter. The Orange outscored Binghamton 18-7 in the third, entering the final period with a commanding 57-35 advantage.

Binghamton opened the fourth quarter with urgency, outscoring Syracuse 7-2 in the first three minutes to briefly cut into the lead. But the Orange quickly responded with three consecutive two-point buckets before sealing the game at the free-throw line. 

Syracuse held a 55-32 rebounding advantage, including 26 offensive rebounds, and outscored Binghamton 42-28 in the paint. That physical presence proved to be the deciding factor, allowing Syracuse to control the game for more than 80 percent of the contest.

Darius led the team with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists in a complete performance. 

“I’m in awe that she’s on our team,”  Legette-Jack said. “She is gifted in her thought process. She continues getting better every day. I love coaching somebody like her—she’s a special young lady.”

ACC Rookie of the Week, Uche Izoje, anchored the interior with 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, recording her third double-double of the season. Laila Phelia added key rebounds on both ends, continuing her team-leading season average of 12.9 points per game, while Sophie Burrows contributed eight points, seven rebounds, and four steals. 

Despite the improvements evident in the 18-point win, Coach Legette-Jack says there is still work to be done.

“We made the tough shots, pushed the ball at the right time, and came through. Our conference exploits every little thing, and today we didn’t play tough enough. That concerns me a bit.” Legette-Jack said.

With another strong home performance, Syracuse continues to build momentum early in the season, aiming to take down Mercyhurst (0-10, NEC) on Friday at home. Syracuse is winning games on its terms—and right now, no one entering the Dome has an answer.