Duke Women’s Basketball Dominates Syracuse with Statement Road Win
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Don’t look now, but Duke women’s basketball is starting to hit its stride - and they made that loud and clear Sunday afternoon in Syracuse.
Led by a breakout performance from their sophomore standout, who poured in 22 points on an efficient 10-of-15 shooting clip, the Blue Devils rolled to a convincing 71-51 win over the Orange in ACC play. It was a complete performance on both ends of the floor, and it showcased the kind of depth and defensive intensity that Duke has been searching for all season.
Fournier was the engine that powered Duke’s offense, adding seven rebounds to her 22-point showing and setting the tone early with her aggressiveness inside. But she had help. Riley Nelson and Ashlon Jackson each chipped in 11 points, while Arianna Roberson anchored the paint with a game-high 12 rebounds, giving Duke a much-needed physical edge on the glass.
With the win, Duke improves to 7-6 overall and stays perfect in conference play at 2-0. Syracuse, meanwhile, drops to 11-2 and 1-1 in the ACC - a rare stumble for a team that had been riding high through non-conference play.
First Quarter: Shaky Start, Strong Finish
The game didn’t begin the way Duke would’ve drawn it up. The Blue Devils coughed up five turnovers in the early going, and Syracuse made them pay, turning those miscues into all eight of their points before the first media timeout. At one point, Duke trailed 10-4, struggling to find any rhythm.
But Roberson helped stop the bleeding - first at the free throw line, then with a soft roll off the rim that ended a nearly five-minute field goal drought. That bucket sparked a 7-0 Duke run to close the quarter, highlighted by five quick points from Mair and a strong drive by Jackson to tie the game at 14 heading into the second.
From that point on, Duke looked like a different team.
Second Quarter: Defense Turns the Tide
The Blue Devils came out of the break with energy, poise, and a clear defensive focus. Delaney Thomas gave Duke its first lead since the opening bucket, and the offense kept humming. Jordan Wood converted an and-one, and Fournier added a lay-in to cap a 14-0 run that flipped the game on its head.
But it was the defense that truly took over. Duke held Syracuse scoreless for more than six minutes and without a field goal for nearly eight. The Orange managed just eight points in the quarter on 3-of-14 shooting, and Duke took a commanding 33-22 lead into halftime.
The rebounding battle was another key storyline. Duke dominated the boards in the first half, pulling down 27 rebounds to Syracuse’s 17 - a major factor in limiting second-chance opportunities and controlling the tempo.
Third Quarter: Balanced Attack Builds the Lead
Coming out of halftime, Duke didn’t let up. The Blue Devils opened the third with an 11-4 run that stretched their lead to 44-26. What stood out was the balance - four different players scored in that stretch, with Jackson leading the way with five points.
Duke’s offensive execution was sharp, but the defense remained the backbone. They continued to contest shots, close out on shooters, and limit clean looks. By the end of the quarter, Duke had built a 50-35 cushion, and Syracuse was running out of answers.
Fourth Quarter: Nelson Seals It from Deep
For three quarters, Duke hadn’t hit a single three-pointer. That changed quickly in the fourth, thanks to Nelson. She drilled back-to-back threes just 90 seconds apart, pushing the lead to 19 and putting the game out of reach.
From there, it was all about closing strong - and Duke did just that. They stayed composed, kept the defensive pressure up, and cruised to a 20-point road win that sends a message to the rest of the ACC.
What’s Next
Duke now heads back to Durham with momentum on their side. The Blue Devils will host Boston College on New Year’s Day at 1 p.m., followed by a marquee matchup against Notre Dame on Jan. 4 at noon - both at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
If Sunday’s performance is any indication, this Duke squad is finding its identity at just the right time. The defense is clicking, the rebounding is there, and the offense is starting to flow. With ACC play heating up, the Blue Devils are officially a team to watch.