Syracuse destroys Mercyhurst 106-40 in final nonconference tune-up
Syracuse dismantled Mercyhurst 106-40 at home Friday morning behind a 59% field goal percentage. The win brings the Orange to 11-1. Courtesy of John Stark | Syracuse Athletics
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On Syracuse’s path to a 10-1 start, the Orange have, for the most part, dominated nonconference competition, primarily cruising past in-state mid-major programs. SU has still dealt with several major tests, like close wins over Auburn and SMU, and even failed a test against then-No. 6 Michigan in November.
But, with Atlantic Coast Conference play looming on the horizon, the Orange finished up their nonconference slate in a fitting way — dominating another mid-major foe.
Syracuse (11-1, 1-0 ACC) destroyed Mercyhurst (0-11, Northeast) 106-40 Friday morning in its regular season nonconference finale. It’s the most points SU’s scored in a game all year, and its largest scoring output since Nov. 5, 2024 against Niagara. It’s also Syracuse’s largest victory under Felisha Legette-Jack, surpassing a 49-point win over Wagner earlier this year.
The Orange had all 14 active players see minutes, totaling a season-high 59% field goal percentage. Freshman center Uche Izoje feasted inside for a career-high 23 points and added 11 rebounds.
Mercyhurst, one of the statistically worst teams in Division I, was probably SU’s most favorable matchup of the year. The Lakers entered Friday allowing the worst field goal percentage in the country at 53.8%, while also rebounding worse than any other D-I team, hauling in just 25.4 total boards a game.
The Orange attacked those deficiencies from the get-go. After Sophie Burrows nailed a 3 on SU’s first possession, SU pushed inside the arc, feeding Izoje in the post while Laila Phelia dominated in the mid-range. A couple of fast break buckets and another Burrows 3 put Syracuse up 17-5 through four minutes.
Mercyhurst received a scoring boost from sophomore forward Erica Hall, who tallied eight points in 10 first-quarter minutes. But the Orange closed the quarter on a 15-7 run, capped with a miraculous Angelica Velez buzzer-beating triple, where she stepped through two defenders and threw up an awkward shot that improbably struck nylon. It helped SU end the quarter up 32-12, while shooting a whopping 70% from the field in the first frame.
In order to pull off an unlikely upset, the Lakers needed the 3-ball to fall early and often. But through one quarter, Mercyhurst was just 2-of-6 from deep, which turned into a 6-of-33 mark by the game’s end.
Instead, the Orange were the ones heating up from deep. Burrows’ two early 3s and Velez’s late shot contributed to seven total makes from beyond the arc. The 43.8% mark was SU’s most efficient game from deep this season. But Syracuse was equally as efficient with its mismatches down low.
Mercyhurst didn’t have a starter over 6-foot on Friday. Syracuse’s lineup had four players taller than that threshold. Izoje was the main beneficiary, pouring in 11 first-quarter points against a smaller frontcourt. SU had 30 points in the paint in the first half and hauled in nine offensive rebounds.
SU got deep into the bench in the second quarter, throwing in five substitutes. Madeline Potts made the biggest impact, nailing 2-of-4 3s and hitting one shot from inside the arc, nearly surpassing her season-high with eight points in the second quarter alone. She finished with 11 on 4-of-6 shooting.
Potts was among 11 Syracuse players to score in the first half, contributing to a 64.1% overall field goal percentage. It helped SU take a 58-24 advantage into the break.
The Orange were in cruise control for most of the second half. SU dominated the second quarter, outscoring Mercyhurst 27-8 in the frame. The starters did most of the scoring, as Izoje poured in five points while Shy Hawkins and Dominique Darius scored two buckets each. Off the bench, freshman Jasmyn Cooper added two and-1 buckets, adding to her season-high seven points.
SU ended the quarter on a 12-0 run, capped with another buzzer-beating 3, this time a leaning shot from Potts from about 30 feet out. It gave the Orange a 53-point advantage entering the final frame.
Throughout the fourth quarter, as SU extended its monstrous lead, Izoje capped off her fourth double-double of the season with two more inside buckets and four additional rebounds.
A deep 3 from Olivia Schmitt helped the Orange crack the century mark for the first time this season with four and a half minutes to play. Keira Scott reached a season-high of 10 points with two free throws right after. It helped Syracuse close the game with a commanding 106-40 win, SU’s largest under Legette-Jack.
While it’s a game Syracuse should have won easily, the Orange looked perhaps even more dominant than expected. It’s an encouraging sign heading into SU’s ACC gauntlet, which will demand far more than most of SU’s nonconference foes.
