Both teams got off to a blazing hot start offensively to begin the game as Syracuse and Virginia combined for 10-13 from the floor before the five-minute mark in the first quarter.
Second Quarter continued to be a back and forward contest as SU maintained a 37-36 lead at halftime. Sophie Burrows led the way with 12 points and Kyra Wood had 9 points and 7 rebounds at halftime.
In the third quarter, Syracuse came out firing on all cylinders using a 17-4 run to grab a 54-40 lead with under five minutes to go in the quarter. The run was sparked by the Syracuse defense which created 7 turnovers in the quarter. Virginia used a scoring run at the end quarter to battle back and make it a 58-52 game heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Syracuse went cold shooting just 4-15 from the floor and 0-8 from 3-point. The Orange turned the ball over five times in the quarter.
The Cavaliers shot 8-14 from the floor and 50% from 3-point in the quarter. ‘Cuse had a chance to tie the game as late Georgia Woolley and Dominique Camp both had opportunity from three but couldn’t connect.
Syracuse was held to just nine fourth quarter which is like the lost to NC State. The Orange controlled a lead into the fourth quarter in both games.
After another disappointing fourth quarter finish this season, Syracuse falls to 8-13,2-8 on the year.
Sophie Burrows, who finished with a career high 22 points on 9-16 shooting, said that team just needs to continue to trust their offense in the fourth quarter.
“We were playing good team basketball, moving the ball and there’s no reason we needed to start doing that in the fourth quarter,” said Burrows.
Kyra Wood, who finished with 18 points and 15 rebounds, shared a similar opinion about Syracuse putting together a full game.
“Our missing factor in a lot of these heartbreakers are being able to play for a full 40 minutes and continue to perform at the level we have been performing for the first three quarters,” said Wood.
Coach Leggette-Jack said her team has stick the game plan moving forward.
“We have a gameplan and it’s iron-tight and we still break away from it. We’re going to have to fix that,” said coach Jack.
Syracuse (8-13,2-8) goes on the road to face Virginia Tech (15-7,6-5) on Thursday at 6:00 PM.