Strong Second Half Pushes Syracuse Past Pittsburgh

The Orange women's basketball team dominated the Panthers after halftime.

After a nail-biting loss to NC State Sunday on the road, Syracuse women's basketball hosted Pittsburgh at the Dome on Thursday, looking for revenge. The Orange got back on track with a resounding 89-71 victory.

Early in the game, the Orange looked to be in control, led by Georgia Woolley who had another outstanding game matching the 23 points she scored against NC State. In the first quarter alone, Woolley recorded 10 points, 4 steals, and two assists. For the game overall , Woolley scored 23 points to go along with 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals, and two blocks. While Wolley brought a ton of offensive firepower, it was her defense that stood out. Wolley spoke about the team's defensive mentality after the game.

“When we play as one our defense is one and it's easy to get steals.” When I got those steals we were playing together, moving around and then I just was able to jump the lanes and get the steal.”

Going into the second quarter the Orange had a six-point lead over the Panthers. Syracuse continued to appear in control until about the midpoint of the second quarter when the Panthers caught fire and quickly made their way back into the game. Just before the two-minute mark, Pittsburgh took a one-point lead in the midst of a 17-0 scoring run that saw the Orange trailing by 6 at halftime.

In the second half alone the Orange outscored Pittsburgh 56-32. In the game Syracuse had 31 points off fastbreaks compared to Pittsburgh who had just one point. That stat goes to show the feisty defense the Orange displayed tonight as well as the ability to play on the open court.

The Orange needed a spark in the second half, and they got just that from Dyiasha Fair. Fair scored 22 of her 24 points in the second half, including four three-pointers. Fair also facilitated 5 assists as well as showing her defensive ability by recording three steals.

Not only was Fair effective for the Orange, but also Dariauna Lewis was bringing energy on the offensive end, specifically down low in the paint. Overall, Lewis nearly had a double-double tallying 12 points and eight rebounds. Lewis also proved to be an anchor defensively in the paint, swatting away four shots.

For the past 10 years of her career, Coach Jack was the head coach of the University of Buffalo women's basketball, giving her lifelong ties to the community. Coach Jack after the game was asked about her thoughts on the tragic injury of Damar Hamlin.

“Ten years of my life has been in Buffalo and anything that happens to Buffalo, it affects my family and me.” Coach Jack said, “ To see that young man collapse like that, it just really traumatized my husband and me.”

Syracuse will play their next game on Sunday on the road against the 11-5 Clemson Tigers at 2 p.m. The Orange are now 11-4 on the season. Pitt falls to 7-8.

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