Observations from SU’s 3OT escape against Cal: Late chaos, Almón on glass
In Syracuse’s miraculous triple-overtime win over Cal, the Orange struggled to close out late. Nonetheless, SU had four scorers with over 18 points and found a way to win. Matthew Crisafulli | Contributing Photographer
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After Syracuse’s crushing defeat to Virginia Tech Jan. 8, head coach Felisha Legette-Jack entered her postgame press conference frustrated. And understandably so. Her squad was 13-2 entering that evening. They were dealt one of their most humbling defeats of the season.
In Legette-Jack’s mind, the main issue holding the Orange back was their level of energy. It wasn’t the same high-powered squad that’s proven to go punch for punch with any team in the Atlantic Coast Conference. It was a team that got hit hard and never got back up.
So, the fourth-year head coach vowed not to let it happen again.
Practices instantly looked different, Legette-Jack said at Wednesday’s media availability. While she wouldn’t disclose what exactly changed, she noted that the team has tried new drills to replicate intensity. Guard Laila Phelia said the team was up at 6 a.m. for practice the day after the VT loss. Legette-Jack said previously she had them starting at 11 a.m. over winter break.
In SU’s next game against a good Virginia squad, it rallied for a stunning second-half blowout of the Cavaliers, who were previously undefeated in conference play. Thursday’s game against Cal was another chance for Syracuse to ride the momentum and keep heating up.
It needed every bit of gas to get there, but Syracuse (15-3, 5-2 ACC) had enough to get over the finish line, beating the Golden Bears (10-9, 1-5 ACC) 90-87 in triple overtime. Here are some observations from Syracuse’s fifth conference win of the campaign:
Late collapse
Thursday’s game was comfortable for the first 35 minutes. Syracuse was in charge from the second it caught fire in the second quarter until the middle of the fourth quarter. Then, Cal came clawing back.
The Golden Bears got within 10 points on a few separate occasions but didn’t start making it a real threat until the middle of the frame, when a 7-0 run cut the lead to just five. A Naya Ojukwu layup cut the lead to five before Taylor Barnes nailed a 3. Then, a second-chance tip-in from Ojukwu, who scored a career-high 25 points on the night, tied the game at 62. Phelia and Burrows then both missed go-ahead looks in the final moments.
It led the Orange to overtime, a reality that seemed unfathomable at the start of the fourth quarter. Again, they couldn’t close the door.
Despite leading by four with 21 seconds left, two miraculous 3s from Lulu Twidale tied the game at the buzzer. Then, the teams stayed deadlocked through another period. It wasn’t until the third overtime that Syracuse could break the deadlock.
It took them seven periods, but Syracuse got the job done.
Slow start
Syracuse didn’t necessarily bring Legette-Jack’s desired energy in the first quarter, at least not on the scoring front. Part of SU’s identity is punching first — jumping on teams early and never letting go. The most important quarter of a game can often be the first, and the Orange want to seize it every time they can.
On Thursday, though, both teams started at a snail’s pace. After Phelia made SU’s first field goal of the day on its first possession, the Orange then shot just 5-for-17 (29.4%) the rest of the way. Cal, meanwhile, wasn’t much better. The Golden Bears shot 3-for-15 (20%) from the field and started a pitiful 1-for-9.
But Syracuse, nonetheless, won the quarter. The Orange outscored Cal 12-10, although the two teams combined to shoot 8-for-32. It wasn’t much of a punch, maybe a weak jab, if anything, but it was nonetheless enough to set the table for another win, as SU rebounded with a 22-point second quarter.
Almôn on the glass
Uche Izoje is a name that’s been impossible to ignore for Syracuse this season. But SU’s superstar freshman’s main flaw has been her inability to stay out of foul trouble. And when they pile up early, Legette-Jack has no choice but to sit her.
In the past, the Orange have been a completely different team without the Nigerian on the court, primarily on the glass. But as of late, SU may have found its answer to replicate Izoje’s rebounding. And her name is Aurora Almón.
The Miami transfer didn’t play much to kick off the campaign but has seen her minutes skyrocket recently. She started her first game Sunday and was back in the lineup again Thursday. And while Izoje racked up four fouls, Almón made the most of it – she nabbed a career-high 14 rebounds, nine of which were offensive, and added four points.
It contributed to a dominant night on the glass, where Syracuse pulled down 29 offensive boards and 28 defensively.
Almón’s often played alongside Izoje, but when her partner is off the court, she’s shown she can replicate some much-needed facets of Izoje’s game.
Free points
Throughout Syracuse’s first 17 games of the season, the Orange allowed their opponents to the free throw an average of 14.2 times a game. On those attempts, opponents were knocking down about 10.2 per game.
On Thursday, Syracuse gave away almost as many free points as it had in a single game all season, allowing Cal to attempt 24 free throws and knock down 22. It’s the third-most makes from the line the Orange have allowed this year and the highest percentage (91.7%) SU has allowed to a team with over 15 attempts.
In a game decided by just a few points, it could’ve been the difference. Lucky for Syracuse, it did enough to secure a crucial win.
