Syracuse’s first tune-up of the preseason came against the kind of opponent that tells you plenty, and early on Monday night, Connecticut made its point fast.
The Orange women opened their exhibition against UConn at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., and the Huskies quickly seized control behind pressure defense and a clear size advantage. By the end of the first quarter, UConn held a 23-8 lead after shooting 9-for-16 from the field, with center Sarah Strong scoring seven points in the period.
Syracuse had trouble generating clean offense from the start. UConn’s defense forced the Orange into 1-for-7 shooting to open the game, and Syracuse’s first made basket came on a backdoor layup by Keira Scott. The Orange leaned on those backdoor cuts to try to blunt the Huskies’ pressure, but the early pace belonged to Connecticut.
The pressure only intensified as the second quarter got rolling. Through the first five minutes of the period, UConn outscored Syracuse 11-9, and the Huskies’ fullcourt press had already produced seven Syracuse turnovers.
When the Orange did manage to break the press, they were able to settle into the halfcourt a little more effectively, but the deficit kept growing. With 4:53 left in the second quarter, UConn led 34-17.
Syracuse center Uche Izoje has been held in check early, going 1-for-6 from the field for two points.
The matchup offered Syracuse its first look at a roster built under fifth-year coach Felisha Legette-Jack, and the starting five reflected that mix of returning pieces and new faces. Legette-Jack opened with Izoje, Keira Scott, Angelica Velez, and transfers Tyi Skinner from SMU and Sarah Rambus from Oregon. UConn’s starters were Jana El Alfy, Ashlynn Shade, Jovana Popovic, Sarah Strong, and KK Arnold.
Before tipoff, the game was framed as a preseason test and a measuring stick against one of the nation’s top programs. Syracuse starts the 2026-27 season against the same team that ended its season last March, though Monday’s exhibition carried different stakes than the teams’ second-round NCAA Tournament meeting in Storrs.
In that Round of 32 game last season, UConn led 65-12 at halftime. In the 2024 NCAA Tournament matchup, Syracuse lost by eight.
The Orange’s frontcourt additions were part of the offseason plan to give Izoje more help inside if teams throw extra defenders at her. Oregon transfer Sarah Rambus and Temple transfer Jaleesa Molina were brought in to add size, while Skinner is one of the key pieces in a rebuilt backcourt. Several members of the Syracuse men’s basketball team also arrived late in the first quarter and took seats behind the basket nearest Syracuse’s bench.
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