Syracuse Women Dominate Georgia Tech in Bounce-Back Win, 94-70
Syracuse didn’t just get back in the win column Thursday night - they made a statement.
Coming off a tough loss to North Carolina that snapped a three-game winning streak, the Orange responded with their most commanding performance of ACC play this season, rolling past Georgia Tech 94-70 at the JMA Wireless Dome.
From the opening tip, Syracuse set the tone. It took less than two minutes for the Orange to build a 9-0 lead, forcing an early timeout from Georgia Tech. Uche Izoje, who’s been racking up ACC Freshman of the Week honors like clockwork, scored four quick points in that opening burst, and she never let up.
By the final buzzer, Syracuse had 12 different players in the scoring column, and the bench was on its feet celebrating a full-team effort. Head coach Felisha Legette-Jack stayed locked in throughout - coaching hard even with the game well in hand - but you could see the satisfaction on her face as her squad executed on both ends.
Phelia, Izoje, Darius Lead the Charge
Laila Phelia led all scorers with 23 points and added a career-high seven steals in a two-way performance that set the tone for Syracuse’s aggressive defense. She also knocked down three triples, helping the Orange shoot a blistering 66.7% (8-for-12) from beyond the arc - their best mark of the season.
Izoje continued her stellar freshman campaign with her 10th double-double: 17 points, 15 rebounds, and a presence that Georgia Tech simply couldn’t match inside. She pulled down 12 boards in the first half alone, dominating the glass and giving Syracuse a 40-27 edge in rebounding.
Then there was Dominique Darius, who poured in 20 points and dished out three assists. Every time Georgia Tech looked like it might claw back into the game, Darius had an answer - whether it was a tough bucket, a timely pass, or a defensive stop.
Early Runs, Defensive Pressure Set the Tone
After jumping out to a 17-4 lead, Syracuse hit a cold stretch late in the first quarter, going over four minutes without a field goal. But even when the shots weren’t falling, the defense held strong. The Orange led 18-8 after one, and when Georgia Tech cut the deficit to six midway through the second quarter, Syracuse responded with a 12-0 run that blew the game open.
That run was fueled by hustle plays - a steal by Keira Scott, a transition three from Olivia Schmitt, and relentless pressure that forced mistake after mistake from the Yellow Jackets. Syracuse finished with 13 steals and turned Georgia Tech’s miscues into 26 points - a major swing in a game that was never really in doubt after halftime.
Closing the Door in Style
Tech made a brief push in the third quarter, trimming the lead to 11 after a three from Talayah Walker, who came in averaging 16.5 points per game. But Syracuse held her to just 10, and any momentum the Yellow Jackets had was quickly erased by Darius and Izoje, who combined to score the next seven points.
From there, it was all Orange. Phelia, Izoje, and Darius took over the latter half of the third quarter, scoring all 16 of Syracuse’s points in the final 4:30 of the frame. By the time the fourth quarter began, SU led 71-51 and had full control.
Sophie Burrows added a spark off the bench in the final quarter, knocking down a three and finishing with eight points. Phelia hit another triple, and the lead ballooned to 26 just three minutes into the fourth. Syracuse eventually pushed it to 28 - their largest of the night - on a feed from Darius to Izoje inside.
With five minutes left and the game well in hand, Legette-Jack emptied the bench, giving her reserves a chance to close things out. And they didn’t disappoint - Angelica Velez became the 12th Syracuse player to score, and the bench erupted in celebration.
A Complete Team Effort
This was the kind of performance that coaches dream about: balanced scoring, stifling defense, dominant rebounding, and efficient shooting. Syracuse didn’t just win - they controlled every phase of the game.
The 24-point margin marked the Orange’s biggest win in conference play this season, surpassing their 19-point victory over Virginia earlier in the month. More importantly, it was a reminder of what this team is capable of when it’s clicking on all cylinders.
With the ACC schedule heating up and postseason positioning on the line, Syracuse picked the perfect time to deliver a statement win.