Third Time's the Charm as Syracuse Defeats Virginia for First Conference Win of the Season

Story by: Jonathan Kahn

Photo Courtesy: Syracuse Athletics

Syracuse, N.Y. - If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. That’s what the Orange women did Sunday in the Carrier Dome defeating Virginia for their first ACC win of the season 70-58. No. 21 Syracuse (11-5, 1-2 ACC) had dropped its previous two ACC games to No. 4 Notre Dame at the Dome and No. 13 Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium. 

The Orange’s balanced scoring effort and a big spark off the bench were key in a game that Head Coach Quentin Hillsman said was a must win."

“It was a critical game for us in this conference,” Hillsman said. “We couldn't drop another home game no matter who it was against. From top to bottom it’s probably our best win of the season. “

A Game of Runs

The Orange shooters were hot to start the game and built multiple double-digit first half leads, due in large part to the play of sophomore guard Alexis Peterson who had 13 points less than nine minutes into the game. The lead ballooned to 18 points at halftime when Senior guard Maggie Morrison hit a 3-pointer with just over a minute to go in the half. Morrison off the bench went 4-5 from beyond the arc - a career high for her.

“It felt really good to get my shot back,” Morrison said. “They left me open for the most part, probably because I miss most of my shots. They were just falling today.”

The Orange players had 12 made 3-pointers against the Cavaliers and have combined for 25 made 3-pointers in their last two games.

Virginia (12-4, 2-1 ACC) started the second half on an 11-3 run cutting the Orange lead down to 10.

Cavalier junior guard Faith Randolph led all scorers with 24 points.

But the Orange regained the momentum; Peterson said the key was to stay composed.

“Basketball is a game of runs,” Peterson said. “They came out they were hot, but I think we did a good job of staying composed and listening and staying confident in what we can do.”

Bench Comes up Big

The Orange reserves scored 31 of the Orange’s 70 points. Hillsman said it’s reassuring to get that production.

“Whenever your bench can play well you have a chance to win,” Hillsman said. “I thought today they were a tremendous reason why we won the game.”

The combination of senior guards Diamond Henderson and Maggie Morrison plus junior forward Taylor Ford sparked the Syracuse offense in both halves.

Mid-way through the second half Ford, who finished with 11 points, hit two back-to-back triples pushing the Syracuse lead to 15.

Diamond Henderson added two 3-pointers of her own finishing with 8 points and 8 assists.

Up Next for the Orange

Syracuse will host Wake Forest (9-8, 0-3 ACC) on Thursday in the Carrier Dome. The last time these two met was a 64-54 Syracuse victory in Winston-Salem, last March.