Syracuse lost its fourth consecutive contest 84-71 to number three Louisville in Kentucky. While the scoreboard shows a thirteen-point loss, Syracuse was competitive for a majority of the game. The Orange went into the halftime break down by just five points to a top three team in the country. This may not seem like a victory since Syracuse was still dealing with a deficit, but SU lost each of the last three games by a combined 69 points.
Where Syracuse dominated most was second chance points. After three quarters of play, the Orange had seven points after securing an offensive rebound while the Cardinals had just two. This was all thanks to SU’s team rebounding. Forward Alaysia Styles and guard Teisha Hyman combined for 14 of Syracuse’s 31 rebounds in this game.
The deficit was then cut to three entering the fourth quarter. Louisville, though, turned into the number three team in the country and dominated. The Cardinals outscored the Orange by ten in the final frame thanks to strong performances from guards Hailey Van Lith and Kianna Smith. Van Lith contributed seven of her 20 points in the final quarter of play and Smith hit two big threes to start the frame. Head coach Vonn Read notes that even with the tough fourth quarter, he was happy with the overall performance.
“They got a couple of free throws at the end and made a couple of good plays down the stretch,” Read said. “But I’m proud of our girls. I mean, they fought for forty minutes and that’s all we can ask of them.”
HAILEY. VAN. LITH. 🙌
— Louisville WBB (@UofLWBB) January 14, 2022
Watch @espn: https://t.co/opx0TAUpxs#GoCards pic.twitter.com/vP11jkH4dK
Scoring was definitely there for Syracuse overall, though. Four players put up double figures, including guards Christianna Carr and Chrislyn Carr. The two seniors combined for 36 points in the loss.
Syracuse has had a tough time handling ACC opponents this season, and that certainly showed tonight. The Orange entered tonight’s contest losers of three straight, two of which by double-digits, needing to right the ship. SU might have not secured the win by fumbling down the stretch, but a competitive performance against a top team in the nation should give Orange fans a lot to cheer for.
Syracuse women's basketball may have lost, but SU men's basketball looks for a win on Saturday versus Florida State. WAER's coverage of the Orange and Seminoles begins at 2:30 p.m. with the game starting at 3 p.m.