Photo by Michelle Fenelon
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Looking to shatter more than record-breaking crowd numbers, the No, 21 Syracuse Women's Basketball team hosted No.7 Notre Dame Sunday evening in the Carrier Dome. The Dome was packed with a record-breaking 11,021 in attendance for a women's game but luck was on the Irish side as they pulled out an 85-80 win over the Orange in the final quarter.
"I can't thank everyone enough for making it happen," Syracuse head coach Quentin Hillsman said.
" Having a good crowd is a good thing for our team. I think our fans saw a good game."
Fast start by Orange
The Orange (18-9. 9-5 ACC) got off to a fiery start as Brittney Sykes sank a three-pointer within the first fifteen seconds of the game. Alexis Peterson kept it going with an easy layup and gave Syracuse a 5-2 lead over the Irish.
"Hitting those shots definitely opened up the lanes for us," Sykes said. "We just have to make sure that we have the will to go to the boards and crash. We just have to do a better job as a team and hold each other accountable."
Notre Dame's Arike Ogunbowale responded with an jumper that missed and although Kathryn Westbeld got the rebound but turned it over. Brittney Sykes and Gabby Cooper teamed up for back- to-back threes giving the Orange a nine-point lead.
Marina Mabrey hit a three for the Irish (24-3, 13-1) bringing the score 13-5. The Orange's Gabby Cooper answered with a three pointer on an assist from Peterson.
The Orange led by as many as eleven points before Notre Dame finished the quarter strong.
Going into the second quarter, Syracuse led 30-24.
Second quarter
Both teams missed a couple of jumpers but finally a defensive rebound by Ogunbowale set up Brianna Turner for an easy layup for the Irish.
Trying to hold on to the lead, Sykes stole the ball from Jackie Young and Briana Day got a layup for Syracuse bringing the score 32-26.
With just over one minute to play before the half, Brianna Turner added two more for the Irish off an assist from Ogunbowale. Sykes and Peterson teamed up for an added two for the Orange, leading at the half 43-35.
Peterson and Sykes are the country's top scoring backcourt, averaging 43 points for the Orange.
Orange holds on through 3rd quarter
The second half started off with Notre Dame trying to close the gap. Brianna Turner's layup brought the score to 43-37. Two more layups and a three tied the game at 46, but not for long. Peterson and Sykes together again for an easy layup and assist.
Young helped her team gain on the Orange with a layup but the Irish were still down 63-59.
Fourth belongs to the Irish
The Irish had a newfound momentum as they found their stride in the final quarter. opening with a 10-0 run to take the lead.
"They made adjustments and it was tough. It threw us out of our defense," Orange center Briana Day said.
The Orange struggled to come back and with a mere 12 seconds left to play Peterson made both shots after she was fouled closing the gap 81-80. But Sykes fouled Mabrey who converted both free throws Another foul sent Turner to the line and she sank both finishing off Syracuse 85-80.
"They [Syracuse] gets better and better every year. This is a game I was really worried about," Notre Dame Coach Muffet McGraw said. "I thought this might be the most important game of the year.
Next
Next up, Syracuse will take on Wake Forest in the Dome Thursday night at 7:00 and Notre Dame hosts Boston College at home in the Purcell Pavilion the same night.
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