Syracuse women’s basketball ends regular season with win over Boston College

After two back-to-back losses, Syracuse women’s basketball returned to the Dome on Senior Day for the chance to claim one more win to end the regular season. The Orange were contested by Boston College — the lowest ranked team in the ACC.

SU dominated, starting off the game with an 8-0 run and kept the energy the whole game, resulting in a 90-65 win on a day that celebrated exactly that type of game play. The team was joined by the 2016 National Championship squad for a celebration of their run in the NCAA championship ten years ago.

Despite the Orange having six turnovers off of travels, their scoring remained consistent. Guard Maddie Pots opened three point shooting for the game and that energy continued through the quarter. Boston College crept up on SU with multiple buckets from inside the arc. The run put them just eight points away from Syracuse, with a first quarter final of 18-10.

Heading into the second, center Uche Izoje had no trouble executing a seven-time ACC rookie of the week game play. The freshman scored six points in less than two minutes, putting the Orange 14 points ahead of the Eagles, 29-15. The center ended up claiming her 13th double-double of the year and finished her sixth game this season with a 20+ point performance. 

Through the second half of the contest, the Orange continued to widen their lead. This didn’t stop BC from having notable performances from players like guard Jocelyn Grier. The freshman scored 20 of the Eagle’s 65 points. However, without a consistent scoring effort behind her, it wasn’t enough for BC to find the win. Syracuse claimed the 90-65 victory. 

Journey Thompson reflected on how her team has grown close and how they motivate each other to be better.

“Its still very high energy like last year, but it’s a different understanding between us,” Thompson said. “Our drive, our work ethic is a lot higher than it was last year, so she doesn’t have to push us too much to get that out of us. There’s this mutual desire to make each other better.”

Thompson, joined by fellow seniors, Dominique Darius, Laila Phelia and Oyindamola Akinbolawa, all touched the court and put points on the board for the Orange. When the seniors were subbed out, the crowd cheered with a round of applause. 

Sunday was a true team effort win. Izoje ended with 24 points, Phelia with 11 and Darius and Potts both with ten.

The Orange secured a first-round bye, seeded No. 7 in the upcoming ACC Tournament. 

SU’s next matchup is Thursday against a to-be-determined opponent. Senior guard Sophie Burrows is expected to make her return after suffering a minor hand injury.