Story and photos by Julian McKenzie
SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Syracuse senior guard Alexis Peterson couldn’t help but think in the moment, and not of the game at hand, as she stepped on the Jim Boeheim Court with her parents. The Columbus, Ohio native received a commemorative plaque for her years as a talented player, scoring the second-most points in school history among other accolades.
“It’s amazing how fast time flies,” said Peterson. “It was definitely a bittersweet moment. ‘Ok, this is really it. I’m really here. This season is really going to end.’”
Following the opening ceremony, Peterson and her fellow teammates were all business as the #20 ranked Orange crushed the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 85-64 at the Carrier Dome Thursday night. The win moves Syracuse to 19-9 on the year and a 10-5 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
“Big night for us to get number ten,” Orange head coach Quentin Hillsman said. “We wanted to send our seniors out with a win.”
Four Orange players scored double-digit figures including Peterson, who led the way with 25 points. Center Briana Day registered her eighth double-double of the season by halftime and ended the game with 17 points and 15 rebounds. Fifth-year guard Brittney Sykes added 16 points and nine rebounds and Amsterdam-born forward Isabella Slim chipped in with eight points and six rebounds.
The lone non-senior starting player, Gabby Cooper, scored 15 points in the victory.
“It’s A Celebration”
Peterson, Sykes, Slim, both Briana and Bria Day were honored prior to the game as part of the Senior Night celebrations. Four of the five players are starters for the Orange. A sixth player, Michelle Van Dyke, who hasn’t played for the Orange since 2014-15, was also recognized.
As pre-game celebrations unfolded and led right to the opening tip-off, a small thought crept into the mind of Sykes, who has been with the team since 2012-13.
“I’m old,” the 22-year old guard said, prompting laughter from reporters. The New Jersey native redshirted what should have been her junior season after suffering a season-ending injury, resulting in 2016-17 being her fifth year with the team.
“I really did think I was old. It’s been the joke all season from the opposite coaching staff, from our own coaching staff, our teammates, the other team. It was just a long time coming, honestly. It was good to finally have that feeling of certainty that, it’s bittersweet but, it’ll be my last time in the Dome, possibly.”
Post-game, the senior players saluted the crowd and celebrated with fans before retreating to the locker room.
“It was just all smiles,” Peterson said. “I’m sad that this could be the last game, but it’s also a happy moment. It’s a celebration.”
Hillsman showed his appreciation to his seniors for their years of service for the Syracuse women’s program.
“They’ve been the best,” Coach Q said “They made me a better coach. The more they improved, the more I had to improve.”
Senior Moment
The Orange trailed for only 37 seconds Thursday, down 3-2 very early in the opening quarter. Syracuse ended the opening frame with a 27-18 lead. While the Orange scored 15 points in the second quarter, their defense held Wake Forest to 10 points and the Orange took a 42-28 lead into halftime.
Briana Day and Peterson combined to score 25 of the Orange’s 42 points. Day registered a double-double with under four minutes to go in the first half.
“I didn’t have too well of a rebounding game last game so I needed to redeem myself. I thought I did.” said Day, who had five rebounds total against Notre Dame Sunday.
Keeping Up The Pace
Syracuse added 19 more points in the third quarter, none more impressive than Peterson’s steal and layup. Wake Forest forward Elisa Penna made an errant pass that was stolen by Peterson before she cruised to the basket to add to the Orange lead.
Syracuse wasn’t interested in settling down after taking a 61-42 lead into the fourth, as they scored 24 points in the final quarter and continued to press Wake Forest on inbound plays and dove for loose balls.
A Look Ahead
Syracuse has one more game left in the regular season, a matchup at Pitt Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
March 1-5 will be the 2017 ACC Tournament, held in Conway, South Carolina, which precedes the NCAA tournament.
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