The Syracuse women’s basketball team secured a 66-60 overtime victory against Auburn in the ACC/SEC Challenge, improving their season record to 7-1. Dominique Darius led Syracuse with 20 points, while Uche Izoje contributed a double-double with 16 points and 13 rebounds.
The game began with both teams exchanging possessions and defensive stops. Auburn initially took the lead, but early fouls allowed Darius to close the gap for Syracuse. Despite two consecutive steals and scores by Syracuse late in the first quarter, they trailed Auburn 12-17 at the end of the period.
In the second quarter, field goals from Izoje and Sophie Burrows helped Syracuse gain momentum. Defensive pressure kept Auburn scoreless for nearly six minutes, limiting them to just six points in the quarter—Auburn’s lowest scoring output in a quarter this season. Syracuse led 28-23 at halftime.
The third quarter saw both teams trading baskets, with Auburn tying the game midway through on a three-point play. Izoje responded immediately to regain the lead for Syracuse, but Auburn tied it again as time expired in the third, making it 40-40 heading into the fourth.
Early in the fourth quarter, a steal led to Burrows scoring on a fast break layup for Syracuse. However, Auburn quickly answered with a three-pointer and field goal to tie things up again. The Tigers briefly took the lead late in regulation before Darius’s jumper and free throws put Syracuse back ahead. With seconds remaining, Auburn failed to score on their final possession, sending the game into overtime tied at 52.
During overtime—the team’s first this season—Auburn scored first from the free throw line before Darius tied it up with a jumper. The teams continued trading baskets until Laila Phelia converted a three-point play that gave Syracuse control down the stretch.
“This marks the first Syracuse win over Auburn in history,” according to team officials.
Other notable performances included four players scoring in double digits: Dominique Darius (20), Uche Izoje (16), Laila Phelia (14), and Sophie Burrows (11). The Orange made 22 of their 27 free throw attempts (81.5%), marking their first game with more than 20 made free throws since December 1, 2024.
Syracuse will next travel to Dallas for its ACC opener against SMU on Saturday, December 7 at 3 p.m., which will be broadcast on ACCNX.
For updates on Syracuse women’s basketball, fans can follow @CuseWBB on social media.
