Dominique Darius Delivers in the Clutch, Earns National Recognition in Breakout Week for Syracuse
When you talk about clutch performances, Dominique Darius just wrote herself into Syracuse women’s basketball history. In a week that featured one of the most thrilling finishes the program has seen in years, Darius stepped up with not one, but two statement games - and the national spotlight followed.
The junior guard was named one of the United States Basketball Writers Association’s National Players of the Week after a pair of performances that showcased her poise, creativity, and scoring ability. It’s a nod that reflects not just her individual brilliance, but the rising momentum behind a Syracuse team that’s quietly building something special.
Let’s start with the shot - the kind of moment that lives forever in highlight reels and team lore. With just 3.5 seconds remaining in triple overtime against Cal, Darius drained a game-winning three to seal a 90-87 win.
It was the exclamation point on a wild, back-and-forth battle that demanded everything from both teams. For Syracuse, it was Darius who had the final word.
But that wasn’t her only big-time play in that game. Earlier, in double overtime, Darius pulled off a savvy, heads-up move that turned into a key bucket - inbounding the ball off the back of a defender, collecting it herself, and finishing to tie the game.
It’s the kind of play that takes guts and awareness, especially with the game on the line. And for Darius, it was redemption too - she’d tried that exact move earlier in the season without success.
This time, it worked to perfection.
She finished the Cal game with 19 points, but she wasn’t done making noise. Just days later, Darius dropped a career-high 26 points in a 69-58 win over Stanford - a program with national pedigree and deep tournament history.
What made the performance even more impressive? Syracuse was without its leading scorer, Laila Phelia.
In her absence, Darius didn’t just fill the gap - she led the charge.
These back-to-back wins were more than just good résumé builders. They helped Syracuse earn votes in the AP Top 25 for the first time since the end of the 2023-24 season. And they sent a clear message: this team isn’t just scrappy - they’re legitimate.
Darius shared the national player of the week honor with Georgia’s Dani Carnegie, Oklahoma State’s Stailee Heard, Columbia’s Nasi Simmons, and Iowa’s Hannah Stuelke - a group that reflects the depth of talent across women’s college basketball right now. For Syracuse, it marks the second time this season a player has earned national recognition. Freshman Uche Izoje picked up USBWA Freshman of the Week honors earlier in the year, and she’s continued to be a key contributor.
What’s notable about this Syracuse squad is the balance. Darius, despite her heroics, is actually third on the team in scoring, averaging 12.7 points per game.
Phelia leads the way at 14.2, with Izoje close behind at 13.8. That kind of scoring distribution makes Syracuse tough to scout and even tougher to stop - especially when different players are capable of taking over on any given night.
And yes, there’s a legacy element here too. Darius is the daughter of former Syracuse football standout Donovin Darius, and she’s carving out her own path in Orange history - one clutch moment at a time.
Up next for Syracuse: a Sunday road matchup against North Carolina at 2 p.m. Then it’s back home on Thursday, Jan. 29, when they host Georgia Tech at 6 p.m. With the way this team is playing - and the way Darius is leading - the Carrier Dome could be rocking for that one.
This isn’t just a hot streak. It’s a team coming into its own.
And Dominique Darius? She’s right at the heart of it.