Massive Second Quarter Sends Syracuse Women’s Basketball to Super 16

By Andrew Della Piana | @dellie_5

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ – Despite a silent first quarter from both teams, Syracuse (20-12, 9-9 ACC) outmuscled Seton Hall 72-54 (18-15, 10-10 Big East) in a decisive victory. The Orange’s second-quarter performance was fueled by effective shot-making and capitalizing on the Pirates’ mistakes. The Orange will now face Columbia in the Super 16 on Friday at 7:00 p.m. in New York City.

A tie game became a rout thanks to a 20-2 run that transpired between the end of the first quarter and the beginning of the second. Dyaisha Fair and Georgia Woolley gave the Orange complete control after a Sha’lynn Hagans triple-leveled the score at seven. Fair and Wolley combined for 14 of the points during that 20-2 run as the Pirates couldn’t stop Syracuse’s talented combo.

The Syracuse defense was on lockdown, limiting Seton Hall to just 15 points in the first half as the Orange led by 20 points at the break. In the third, the Pirates made an effort to get back into the game and closed the gap to 11 points going into the fourth. However, the ‘Cuse scored nine unanswered points to start the third quarter and end the game. The rest of the way, the Pirates did not get any closer than 16 points.

Woolley contributed 19 points and five assists, and Fair would finish with a game-high 24 points.  Dariauna Lewis dominated the interior once again with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Teisha Hyman’s 10 points, five assists, five rebounds, and five steals gave the team a much-needed boost off the bench. 

A total of 19 turnovers were forced by the Orange defense, which also limited Seton Hall to 38% shooting, including just 2-19 from beyond the arc.

Syracuse has won 20 games for the first time since 2018-19, and Felisha Legette-Jack’s first season as head coach rolls on. 

aedellap@syr.edu | @dellie_5