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After a 10-day break, Syracuse was back in action on New Year’s Eve for its biggest test of the season in No. 13 Notre Dame. After just one loss in nonconference play, Syracuse entered Atlantic Coast Conference play having won seven games in a row.

The Orange earned a big comeback win against Cornell on Dec. 18 before blowing out Saint Francis on Dec. 21. But the Fighting Irish provided the Orange with a different test. Ever since falling against then No. 6 South Carolina in the opening game of the season, ND, led by star freshman Hannah Hidalgo, ripped through its nonconference schedule.

Despite turning the ball over 15 times in the first half, Syracuse also forced 14 for Notre Dame. At the break, the Orange led by three. SU fell behind in the second half, but Dyaisha Fair took over down the stretch, knocking down three huge 3-pointers to put Syracuse back in front to finish with a game-high 27-points.

Here are some observations from Syracuse’s (11-1, 1-0 ACC) 86-81 victory over No. 13 Notre Dame (9-2, 0-1 ACC):

Hidalgo’s defense

It was evident heading into this matchup that Hidalgo would be the player for Syracuse to stop on offense. The freshman entered fifth in the nation in scoring with 23.8 points per game. However, what makes Hidalgo so special is her defense. Notre Dame’s star came into Sunday’s matchup averaging six steals per game, leading the country. The next closest was Vanderbilt’s Jordyn Cambridge with 4.3.

In the first few minutes Hidalgo had already registered three steals, hounding Syracuse’s guards on the perimeter. After Syracuse scored the first seven points of the game, Hidalgo poked the ball away from Fair on the offensive end leading to an easy runout on the other end. Hidalgo’s steals resulted in easy looks in transition for the Irish. Even when she didn’t steal the ball her aggressiveness caused havoc in the halfcourt for Syracuse. The Orange turned the ball over eight times in the first quarter alone, but Notre Dame scored just six points off those turnovers.

In the second quarter, Fair lost control of the ball with nobody on her around midcourt. As soon as the ball hit the ground, Hidalgo dove on the floor, forcing a Syracuse turnover. Wherever the ball was Hidalgo followed.

Fair takes over late

It was a quiet first three quarters for Fair. Bothered by Hidalgo’s pressure, Fair didn’t get much going inside. By halftime, she had 11 points mostly due to a quick six-point spurt at the end of the first half to put the Orange up three.

In the third quarter, Fair still struggled to get it going. Tied at 59 late in the third quarter, Fair pulled the trigger from deep, but had the ball partially blocked by Natalija Marshall.

But later on, Fair showed why she’s one of the top scorers in NCAA history. The point guard hit multiple big shots in the fourth quarter. Following a Georgia Woolley turnover, Notre Dame came racing the other way. Fair sprinted back and forced a turnover before canning a 3-pointer on the other end. After Notre Dame cut SU’s lead to two, Fair canned another triple from deep to put Syracuse up five.

With time winding down in the fourth quarter, Fair controlled the ball along the right wing. After a between the legs dribble, Fair created space for herself before firing and draining a 3 to put the Orange up 79-71. The bucket proved to be the dagger.

Wood patrols the paint

Kyra Wood might not have had the flashiest statline, but she was key in Syracuse’s win. Wood finished with just four field goals total, but her presence down low, especially on the defensive end, was crucial. Despite recording just one block in the first half, Wood affected numerous shots from Notre Dame.

Despite rarely getting plays drawn for her on the offensive end, Wood has made her presence felt on the offensive glass. In all but two of Syracuse’s games this season, the junior pulled in multiple offensive rebounds. In the first half Wood had three.

Wood was effective all over the floor, diving on the ground for loose balls, forcing multiple jump balls and changes of possession for Syracuse.

To begin the third quarter, Wood converted a layup inside off a feed from Alyssa Latham. Then a couple possessions later she drew a charge. When Syracuse needed a bucket trailing by four in the fourth quarter, Wood grabbed another offensive board and converted inside. A couple of possessions later, Fair stole the ball from Hidalgo and hit Wood as she streaked down the paint for an easy layup to tie the game at 65.

Latham’s offense

Latham has consistently been one of Syracuse’s best players this season and has continuously shown flashes of her potential. Latham’s 23 point and 12 rebound performance against Alabama was huge, but her best performance might’ve come against Notre Dame on Sunday.

The forward once again flexed her muscle finishing with 21 points and 12 rebounds, providing the Orange with some much needed offense. Latham constantly made herself available in the paint hitting a couple of short mid range jumpers. Latham was often in the right position when Syracuse’s guards drove the paint. When the defense collapsed, Rice and Fair found Latham under the basket to finish inside.

The freshman’s most impressive play came in the fourth quarter. With Syracuse leading 68-67, Hidalgo split a double team at the top of the key, dishing off to Kylee Watson down low. Latham came across the paint to reject Watson and keep the Orange’s advantage.

Latham pulled in an offensive board to put Syracuse up 73-69 with around three minutes remaining. Latham ended up fouling out with a minute remaining but gave the Orange huge minutes.

Published on December 31, 2023 at 4:27 pm

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