Syracuse Women’s Basketball Hits 10-Win Mark in Just 11 Games, Shows Grit and Growth in Win Over Binghamton
A year ago, it took Syracuse women’s basketball 23 games to notch their 10th win. This season?
Just 11. That’s not just a stat - it’s a statement.
With a 72-54 win over Binghamton, the Orange improved to 10-1 on the year, becoming just the third team in the ACC to reach double-digit wins this early in the season. It’s a stark contrast from last year’s 12-18 campaign, the program’s toughest stretch since Felisha Legette-Jack took over in 2022. But this team is rewriting the narrative - and fast.
Dominique Darius Leads the Charge, Izoje Dominates the Paint
Dominique Darius paced Syracuse with 17 points, including a pair of momentum-swinging threes in the second quarter that helped the Orange find their offensive rhythm. But the real story down low was freshman Uche Izoje, who continues to look like a rising star in the making. She posted a 12-point, 14-rebound double-double, anchoring the Orange on both ends of the floor.
Syracuse had 11 players get on the scoreboard - a testament to the team’s depth - but it wasn’t a flawless performance by any means. The Orange shot just 38.2% from the field and struggled from deep, hitting only 13% of their threes. Still, their defensive intensity more than made up for it.
Defense Sets the Tone
The Orange forced 20 turnovers and held Binghamton to just 34.5% shooting from the field, including 25% from beyond the arc. That defensive pressure was the difference, especially when the offense hit some early turbulence.
Binghamton’s 3-2 zone gave Syracuse fits in the first quarter. SU, which has struggled from beyond the arc all season (28.5% from three coming into the game), couldn’t get much going early and led by just one, 12-11, after the opening frame. The Orange shot 6-of-16 in the first quarter and missed all three of their attempts from deep while turning it over four times.
Izoje was the lone bright spot offensively in that stretch, scoring on both of her field goal attempts in the paint. But things changed quickly in the second quarter.
Second-Quarter Surge Sparks SU
Darius opened the second with back-to-back threes, and just like that, the Orange offense came to life. Izoje followed up with another bucket inside, and Darius added two mid-range jumpers off Binghamton misses. That 11-2 run forced the Bearcats into a timeout with Syracuse leading 24-13.
The Orange kept the pressure on, turning hustle into points. They grabbed 26 offensive rebounds and turned them into 26 second-chance points - an area where they absolutely dominated Binghamton, who managed just eight offensive boards and 11 second-chance points.
Even after building a 17-point lead, Syracuse saw it trimmed to just six after Binghamton ripped off an 11-0 run in under two minutes. But the Orange responded with poise. A Jasmyn Cooper layup helped steady things, and SU closed the half strong, taking a 39-28 lead into the break.
Third-Quarter Takeover
Whatever was said in the locker room worked. Syracuse came out in the third quarter and put the game away with an 18-7 run.
The scoring was balanced - eight different players chipped in during the quarter - and the defense clamped down again. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, SU led 57-35.
Even with some offensive lulls in the final frame, Syracuse never let Binghamton get closer than 17. When the Bearcats cut it to 59-42 with just over seven minutes to go, the Orange responded with an 8-1 burst to slam the door shut.
Big Picture: A Team on the Rise
This wasn’t Syracuse’s cleanest game, but it was another example of how far this group has come. They found a way to win despite shooting struggles and a few momentum swings. The defense continues to be the backbone, and the emergence of players like Izoje gives this team a ceiling that’s still being defined.
At 10-1, the Orange are ahead of schedule - and they’re not just beating teams, they’re learning how to control games. That’s the kind of growth that matters in December and pays dividends in March.