Syracuse looks to turn the page after 20-point loss to Duke: ‘Good team that had a rough day’

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse’s 71-51 loss to Duke on Sunday marked its first home loss of the season, but after the game, the focus was more on the final score and more on what’s to come.

For a young Orange team (11-2, 1-1 ACC) still finding its footing in ACC play, the loss served as a reminder of the importance of small margins and taking care of manageable details.

Captain Dominique Darius, who finished with a team-high 18 points and four turnovers, highlighted details as something the Orange needs to improve.

“We’re going to miss shots and we’re going to miss layups, but we have to emphasize the things we can control,” Darius said after the game. “It’s really up to me as captain.

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Syracuse started strong and held the lead for most of the first quarter, but the game eventually turned when center Uche Izoje picked up early fouls and spent extended time on the bench.

Duke (7-6, 2-0 ACC) capitalized inside, especially through Toby Fournier, last year’s ACC Rookie of the Year, who finished with a game-high 22 points and added seven rebounds and three blocks.

Guard Laila Phelia, who played almost the entire game played, pointed to defensive discipline as a key failing.

“We just need to be able to do small things, box ourselves in, focus, understand [Fournier] out of color and limit her touches,” said Phelia.

Without Izoje anchoring the middle, Syracuse struggled on the defensive glass. The team gave up 17 offensive rebounds, leading to 21 second-chance points for Duke.

“I’d like to see it. [Izoje] play 34 minutes,” Syracuse coach Felisha Legette-Jack said. “We’ve got to figure out how the calls are going to be made to keep her on the floor because she’s one of the best players in the conference, probably in the country.

Izoje fouled out with less than seven minutes remaining, finishing with eight points, four rebounds and two blocks in just 18 minutes. Her absence was felt as Syracuse searched for consistency on both ends.

“The main thing is to stay aggressive,” Darius said. “We’re still a really new team. That’s good for us. The losses hurt, but those are the types of losses that build character and resilience. So it’s really going to be how we respond.”

The Orange, who only had two starters back from last season, are focused on building toward continued success and believe they have what it takes to contend in the ACC.

“They’re a good team that had a tough day,” Legette-Jack said. “We didn’t make the right adjustments. I didn’t make the right adjustments.”

With the next ACC game coming up against Florida State on Thursday, the Orange have a great opportunity to test their ability to learn and respond.

“Syracuse is in this conference for a reason and we have to go out there and prove it,” Legette-Jack said. “We didn’t do our best job today, but we have to learn to improve.”