Sports SUmmary: Giannis hits the Dome, Syracuse’s teams score a perfect weekend

A perfect 5-0 weekend capped off an eventful week in SU athletics. Let’s get to the action and key storylines in Syracuse sports.

5-0 for the Orange at home this weekend! 🍊 pic.twitter.com/3iCLiu8zIR

— Syracuse Athletics (@Cuse) January 31, 2022

Buddy Boeheim propels Orange to signature win

The Syracuse men’s basketball team dropped an away contest with Pittsburgh last Tuesday, in which they tied their season-low of 53 points. The Orange rebounded with a 94-point explosion at home on Saturday evening to defeat Wake Forest. Buddy Boeheim earned ACC Player of the Week honors, averaging 27.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals across his two games. The Orange will travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, to play NC State on Wednesday, then host Louisville on Saturday.

Bros 🤝 Bros pic.twitter.com/mCEvQfIFfy

— Syracuse Men’s Basketball (@Cuse_MBB) January 30, 2022

Joining the Orange faithful at the Dome on Saturday: Two-time NBA MVP and reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brother, Thanasis. After the game, he parted with words of encouragement for the team.

Women’s basketball ends six-game skid

The women’s basketball team’s week mirrored the men’s. After falling to No. 20/18 Notre Dame on the road last Thursday, the Orange rallied to defeat Pittsburgh on Sunday and snapped their six-game losing streak. All five starters tallied double-digit scoring efforts against the Panthers. They’ll escape the snowy terrain for a contest against Miami (FL) on Thursday before hosting Louisville on Sunday.

Mark your calendars, football fans

Those desperate for Sean Tucker and Mikel Jones’ return to the gridiron can officially start the countdown. Syracuse announced the 2022 football schedule, which features seven home contests beginning with Louisvillle on Sept. 3. The Orange will host Louisville on Sept. 3, then Purdue, Virginia, Wagner, and NC State to wrap up a series of four home games in five weeks; Notre Dame and Florida State will also make the trip to Central New York next fall. The regular season concludes with a Nov. 26 trip to Boston College.

T&F dominates on the road

The Orange track and field teams competed in two events last weekend. The Orange took home seven event wins at the Kane Invitational, hosted by Cornell:

• Jaheem Hayles – men’s 60-meter hurdles
• Shaleah Colaire – women’s 60-meter hurdles
• Trei Thorogood – men’s 60-meter dash
• Kahniya James – women’s 60-meter dash
• Jana Riley – women’s 400-meter
• Kevin Robertson – men’s mile
• Riley, Colarie, Kennedy Tarley, Eunice Boateng – women’s 4×400-meter relay

Joe Dragon and Nathan Henderson each eclipsed the four-minute mile mark at the John Thomas Terrier Invitational last Sunday. JP Trojan led all collegiate competitors with a 13:49.04 time in the 5000-meter event.

Star lacrosse player reportedly suffers injury

Inside Lacrosse reported that Owen Hiltz, who led Orange with 29 goals as a freshman last season, suffered an upper body injury during a scrimmage. Hiltz did not return after taking a hit, their sources said, and will miss extended time this season.

Women’s ice hockey sweeps weekend home series, weekly CHA awards

The Orange downed Lindenwood (MO) in a pair of home contests. Abby Moloughney led the team with three points (one goal, two assist) while Madison Primeau found the back of the net twice in Friday’s 6-1 victory. Saturday afternoon featured a thriller reminiscent of the Bills-Chiefs playoff game; the Lions and Orange entered the third period tied 1-1 before the levee broke. Syracuse outscored Lindenwood 3-2 in the final period alone, as Victoria Klimek‘s goal with 13:49 remaining proved to be the game-winner.

Continuing to celebrate a great weekend! Congrats @MadisonPrimeau, @jdigirolamo1 and @vklimek27 🍊🍊🍊

🔗: https://t.co/a3eozV24Eq#CDP pic.twitter.com/PX6hRd7SDN

— Syracuse Ice Hockey (@CuseIce) January 31, 2022

Primeau took home Rookie of the Week honors from the College Hockey America’s weekly awards, while Klimek and Jessica DiGirolamo earned Forward and Defenseman of the week, respectively. They’ll face Penn State twice next Friday and Saturday on the road.