Syracuse center Uche Izoje earns 6th ACC Rookie of the Week honor
For the sixth time this season, Syracuse center Uche Izoje was named the ACC Rookie of the Week. Izoje posted a career-high 27 points and 12 rebounds in SU’s overtime loss to North Carolina Sunday. Tara Deluca | Asst. Photo Editor
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For the sixth time this season, Syracuse center Uche Izoje was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Rookie of the Week, the conference announced Monday afternoon. Izoje posted a career-high 27 points and 12 rebounds in SU’s six-point overtime loss to North Carolina Sunday, culminating in her ninth double-double — third-most in the ACC.
The Tar Heels — who’ve been ranked in nine of 13 AP Top 25 polls — handed the Orange one of their toughest challenges down low, but Izoje remained unguardable. Against 6-foot-4 Ciera Toomey, the Nigeria native bullied her way inside for a career-high eight offensive boards. The effort helped Syracuse outrebound UNC 19-10 on the offensive glass.
Izoje started Sunday’s contest uncharacteristically out of rhythm, airballing her first shot attempt and finishing the first quarter 1-of-6 from the field with two points. After that though, she pulled it together, shooting 10-for-18 with 11 rebounds.
Izoje surpassed Laila Phelia for Syracuse’s team lead in points, with 14.5 per game, and also leads the Orange in rebounds (9.1) and blocks (2.8). Her point and rebound totals are the most among ACC freshmen, while her blocks rank sixth in the nation.
