The Syracuse Orange (16-4, 6-3) women almost had an impressive road win on Sunday afternoon. Despite trailing for most of the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels (17-5, 6-3), the Orange had an in-bounds
play in the final seconds and it looked like it was a winner.
Syracuse sprang Uche Izoje on a screen and Izoje cut to the basket unguarded, but the UNC defender on the ball delayed Leila Phelia’s pass and when Izoje got the ball, Tar Heels defenders were able to recover and force a tough shot which fell of the rim. UNC failed to get off a shot in the final 1.5 seconds, but in the overtime the Tar Heels scored the first seven points and limited Syracuse to just three points as they held on for the win.
Izoje scored a career-high 27 points to go along with 12 rebounds to lead the Orange. Dominique Darius had 19 points and 6 rebounds while Sophie Burrows was the only other Syracuse player in double-figures with 10. Syracuse shot just 3-20 from 3 but the defense came up with 10 steals and helped the Orange convert turnovers into 15 points.
UNC jumped out to an early lead in this game, which was moved up due to the winter storm. It also made for an awkward viewing experience with a sparse crowd and no broadcast announcers. The Tar Heels led the entire first taking a 19-15 lead after 10 minutes. Syracuse quickly tied the game and the teams went back and forth in the second. Darius gave the Orange their first lead at 30-29 with just over 2 minutes to go in the quarter and the teams went into the half tied at 34.
Both offenses came out more effective in the 3rd. UNC had more succss from deep as they hit four 3’s in the quarter to take a 59-55 lead into the 4th. The Tar Heels were able to extend their lead to 68-60 with 3:34 to play but the Orange defense would keep them off the scoreboard the rest of the way. Syracuse got it back to 68-67 when Sophie Burrows made 1 of 2 from the line setting up the extra frame.
The Orange missed an opportunity for a Q1 win and to move into a tie for 3rd in the ACC, but they will be looking to bounce back on Thursday night when they host Georgia Tech at 6:00 in the Dome.
