Syracuse women’s basketball opened its season with a 74-50 win over Stony Brook at the JMA Wireless Dome, marking the team’s 20th consecutive home-opener victory. The game was highlighted by Head Coach Felisha Legette-Jack earning her 400th career win.
Legette-Jack, who has previously coached at Hofstra, Indiana, and Buffalo, collected most of her wins prior to joining Syracuse. “Legette-Jack has previously coached at Hofstra (2002-06), Indiana (2006-12) and Buffalo (2012-22) where she collected 343 of her career wins.” She now becomes the fourth active ACC head coach with more than 400 victories, alongside NC State’s Wes Moore, Miami’s Tricia Cullop, and Louisville’s Jeff Walz. “She is now the fourth active ACC head coach with over 400 wins, joining NC State’s Wes Moore (859), Miami’s Tricia Cullop (490) and Louisville’s Jeff Walz (486).”
Sophomore Shy Hawkins led Syracuse with 13 points, making five out of seven shots from the field and all three free throws. Hawkins also had two steals and a block. Other players contributing double-digit points included Laila Phelia with 12 points, Dominique Darius with 12 points, and Uche Izoje scoring 11 in her debut.
The Orange defense set the tone early by forcing a turnover on Stony Brook’s first possession and held them scoreless for more than five minutes during an early run. By halftime, Syracuse led 37-21. Darius contributed key plays in the third quarter while Izoje added eight points in the final quarter.
Syracuse recorded a total of 51 rebounds—its highest since facing Clemson earlier in January—and made 33 field goals for the first time since March against Boston College. The team scored 54 points in the paint.
This victory marks the third time in six years that Syracuse has started its season with a win over Stony Brook; Syracuse remains undefeated against them at 6-0.
The Orange will play next at home against University at Albany on Friday, November 7 at 7 p.m., broadcast on ACC Network Extra. Tickets for upcoming games can be found at cuse.com/tickets.
