Orange upset No. 15 Louisville in a redemption game
Orange upset No. 15 Louisville in a redemption game
Syracuse women’s basketball rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to upset Louisville.
After facing defeat from the same team just 11 days prior, Syracuse women’s basketball rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to upset the Louisville Cardinals 73-72 in the final seconds on Sunday in the JMA Wireless Dome.
“This is our house,” declared freshman forward Alyssa Latham. “We’re not going to let anybody else come in our house and beat us.”
The game started with a rapid exchange of offensive plays as both teams sought redemption. Coach Felisha Legette-Jack praised her team’s resilience, emphasizing their unity and attention to detail.
“Unbreakable. They weren’t going to be broken today,” said Legette-Jack. “They stuck together and did the little things.”
Defensive prowess was instrumental for the Orange, with six different players contributing to a total of 12 blocks, six of which came from Latham. Junior forward Saniaa Wilson also made crucial defensive plays with two late game blocks in the fourth.
Reflecting on her performance, Latham expressed determination to contribute to her team’s success after a previous subpar showing against Louisville.
“Last time we played them I didn’t have the best game,” said Latham. “So, in these practices I was focused on getting my mind right so I could help my team win.”
Despite Cardinal guard Nylah Harris recording a career-high 22 points and 11 rebounds, Syracuse’s graduate guard Dyaisha Fair proved unstoppable, notching 29 points in the game.
It came down to the final minutes of the game. Fair had two three-pointers and and a layup with 2:36 left to cap a 13-to-three run that gave the Orange their first lead of the game at 69-68. Olivia Cochran scored the next four points for Louisville, before sophomore guard Kennedi Perkins brought Syracuse within 72-71 with just less than a minute remaining.
On a tipped rebound, Perkins got the ball to Fair, and attempting to disrupt a last minute play, Cochran fouled her.
Cochran grabbed Fair without attempting to make a play at the ball and was called for an intentional foul – the final nail in the coffin for the Cardinals. Fair hit two free throws bringing the Orange above the Cardinals by one, and finishing off the upset win.
“It’s rare for me to miss a free throw … and in this game, it was important for me to come through,” said Fair.
With this victory, Syracuse embarks on their final road trip of the regular season, facing Miami on Thursday and Virginia on Sunday. Thursday’s game is scheduled for 6 p.m., while Sunday’s contest will tip off at 2 p.m.
is a sports reporter for The NewsHouse.