Observations from Syracuse’s overtime loss to UNC: OT again, Phelia returns
Syracuse women’s basketball battled back to take UNC to overtime Sunday, but eventually lost 77-71 behind the Tar Heels’ efficient day from beyond the arc. Courtesy of SU Athletics
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Across Syracuse’s recent three game win streak, the Orange had their fair share of magic.
It started with a stunning blowout of Virginia on the road, where Laila Phelia dropped a career-high 38 points. Then, SU returned home for a triple overtime stunner against Cal, where Dominique Darius’ game-winner lifted the Orange to a 90-87 victory. Three days later, Syracuse picked up one of its most impressive wins of the season by downing a good Stanford team at home.
So, the Orange entered Sunday’s matchup with North Carolina, another solid ACC foe, about as hot as ever. But, despite taking the Tar Heels to overtime, they couldn’t keep the momentum rolling in Chapel Hill.
Here are some observations from Syracuse’s (16-4, 6-3 Atlantic Coast) overtime defeat to North Carolina (17-5, 6-3 Atlantic Coast).
OT again?
Syracuse never let Sunday’s game get too far out of reach, but it always felt like North Carolina was in control. The Tar Heels led for 37 minutes, and trailed for just two.
But those two minutes were all Syracuse needed to make this one interesting. After trimming the Tar Heel lead to three with a few minutes to play, UNC went over three minutes without a made field goal. A Sophie Burrows free throw tied the game at 68 with 50 seconds left before UNC airballed a 3-pointer to take the lead.
While the Tar Heels got the rebound and called a timeout, Phelia stole the inbound pass and set up a game-winning chance for SU. She couldn’t hit a tough shot, and Izoje couldn’t finish a shot inside with seven seconds to play. It sent the game to overtime — SU’s third OT game of the season and second in three games.
This time, though, SU’s luck ran dry. The Tar Heels quickly punched the Orange in the mouth with a 5-0 run to kick off the period. Syracuse never really settled offensively, and ultimately couldn’t scrape out a third consecutive win.
Phelia returns
After Phelia’s monstrous 38-point outing against Virginia, she stayed hot with 18 points in four quarters against Cal. However, in the first overtime, Phelia picked up a lower back injury that kept her out for the final two frames. With just three days between games, the Orange elected to keep their leading scorer out against Stanford.
It didn’t prove to make much of a difference, as Darius and Shy Hawkins combined for 36 points to pick up the slack, leading SU to a 69-58 win over the Cardinal. Head coach Felisha Legette-Jack said postgame Phelia would be back Sunday in Chapel Hill.
However, the senior guard didn’t keep up most of her momentum. Phelia poured in just six points on 2-of-13 shooting in her first game back from injury. Phelia didn’t score in the second half or overtime, going 0-for-6 combined.
Darius, Izoje stay hot
Across SU’s win streak, Both Darius and Izoje have been enjoying some of the best stretches of their careers. After a 19-point performance and the game-winner against Cal, Darius tallied a career-high 26 points against Stanford. The efforts culminated in a U.S. Basketball Writers Association National Player of the Week honor.
Izoje, meanwhile, picked up her fifth ACC Rookie of the Week honor after consistent performances against the two squads from the West Coast.
Even with Phelia back against UNC, Darius and Izoje took most of the offensive work. Darius scored SU’s first bucket on a midrange jumper, and followed it up with a 3-pointer a few possessions later. Izoje started the afternoon 1-for-6 from the field, but settled down soon after, making all four of her next four shots.
Most of Darius’ work came in the second quarter, where she ignited for six points, most of which came in the final two minutes. She followed it up with an early jumper to begin the second half, although she cooled down from there. Darius scored five second-half points, finishing with 19 points on 7-of-20 shooting.
Izoje went off for 10 points in the third quarter, and finished with a career-high 27 points on a whopping 24 field goal attempts. While the Orange eventually lost, their starting point guard and center weren’t to blame.
Tar Heel triples
Syracuse has been far from efficient from beyond the arc this season, at just 30.6%. The silver lining has been that the Orange are holding opponents to just 28% from deep. But when they can’t prevent the 3, that’s when they run into trouble.
On Sunday, UNC caught fire from deep in the third quarter, knocking down 4-of-7 attempts to extend its lead to a game-high nine points. It was part of an overall 9-for-24 effort from beyond the arc.
Lanie Grant was the main talisman, shooting 5-of-7 from 3, including three first-half 3s. Five different Tar Heels connected from beyond the arc throughout the game.
It didn’t help that Syracuse just couldn’t seem to find its touch from deep. Phelia — SU’s most efficient 3-point shooter — went 0-of-4 from downtown. Sophie Burrows was 1-for-8. While Darius went a team-high 2-for-8, no other player attempted a 3. It ultimately contributed to SU’s narrow loss.
