’Cuse Falls to SMU on Last-Second Shot

Thursday, January 9

Syracuse, NY

10:30 AM

Syracuse University

6-9,0-4ACC

SMU

10-6,2-2ACC

OT 1

SMU

Syracuse

1/9/2025 1:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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The Syracuse women's basketball team (6-9, 0-4 ACC) fell to SMU (10-6, 2-2 ACC) on a last-second make in a game that needed overtime to be decided on Thursday at the JMA Wireless Dome. Georgia Woolley led the way for the Orange en route to scoring her 1,000^th point at Syracuse, netting a team-high 18 points and seven rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Mustangs outscored the Orange, 16-10, in the first 10 minutes of the game, but Syracuse came out hot in the second, opening the quarter on a 6-0 run to equalized two minutes into the frame. The remainder of the first half was tight, with SMU just edging 'Cuse, 16-15, in points to take a 32-31 at the half.

After the Mustangs scored the first points of the third quarter, a pair of free throws from Varejao kicked off an 8-0 stretch for the Orange, giving them an 39-34 lead with eight minutes left in the frame. SMU returned the favor with a 13-2 scoring run of its own, taking a 49-44 lead with 2:16 left in the quarter. Four-straight points from Varejao ended the quarter for 'Cuse, bringing the Mustang's lead to 49-48 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.

The fourth quarter was a battle, as the teams were separated by one point at the five-minute mark in the frame. As play continued, neither squad was able to pull away, as a Woolley free throw equalized the contest at 60 apiece. The guard then knocked down another pair at the charity stripe, putting 'Cuse up two with 1:52 to go.

With 39 seconds left, the Orange held a 64-61 lead with the Mustangs taking control of the ball. SMU then knotted the game at 64 with a make from beyond the arc. As the clock wound down on the fourth, both teams missed what would have been game-winning baskets, sending the contest to overtime.

SMU scored the first bucket of extra time to take a two-point edge midway through the period, but Woolley tied the contest at 66 immediately after. With 17 seconds to play, Varejao grabbed an offensive board that led the a second-chance layup, putting the Orange up one, but SMU responded with a last-second field goal that rolled in to earn a 72-71 victory.

HAPPY 1K, G
With 18 points in the loss, Woolley has officially scored 1,000 points as a member of the Orange. Her 1,000^th point came on a layup with 2:29 to play in the game's overtime. In total, the guard has 1,499 points in her career across her four-combined seasons at Buffalo and 'Cuse.

Woolley's point total on the day led the way for Syracuse. She has been 'Cuse's leading scorer in eight contests this season.

IZA IN THE CLUTCH
Varejao came up big for 'Cuse in the game, tying her career-best in points with 15, which she set earlier this season against UAlbany. The graduate student provided a clutch make in overtime, giving her team a one-point edge with 17 seconds remaining before SMU's last-second make won the Mustangs the game.

Along with her 15 points, Varejao also added six rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal.

BURROWS BRINGS THE SPARK
Sophie Burrows ignited a spark for Syracuse in the third quarter, scoring eight points on 3-of-6 (50 percent) shooting in the frame. The sophomore knocked down back-to-back three pointers to open the period, helping the Orange to a five-point lead after being down one point coming out of the locker room.

Burrows finished the game with 10 points.

JOURNEY JOINS THE STARTING FIVE
Journey Thompson made her first start as a member of the Orange, registering 13 points and a 'Cuse-best eight rebounds. She also added two blocks.

Thompson has scored in double figures in four games this season, including in back-to-back contests after she net 13 in the team's last game at Florida State.

OF NOTE

Varejao recorded her first double-digit scoring performance since Dec. 18 at Binghampton, finishing the game with 15 points in her second-consecutive start.
Dominique Camp, who leads the team in assists this season, finished the contest with six helpers to bring her total to 61 this campaign.
'Cuse's offensive effort came from all over on Thursday, with eight of the 10 players who entered the contest registering points in the win/loss.
Syracuse's 19 rebounds on the offensive end led the 25 second-chance points, while its 26 defensive boards held SMU to just nine second-chance points.
The loss moves Syracuse to 6-9 on the season.
SMU takes the 1-0 lead in the lifetime series between programs as Thursday's matchup was the first ever between the Orange and the Mustangs.
Today's contest with the first overtime game for the Orange this season.

UP NEXT
The Orange return to the JMA Wireless Dome this weekend for a Sunday evening contest against the Miami Hurricanes. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. with the game being the finale of a quadruple header on the ACC Network.

Tickets for all Syracuse women's basketball games are on sale now. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting cuse.com/tickets or calling the JMA Wireless Dome Box Office at 888-DOME-TIX.

For more on the Syracuse women's basketball team, follow @CuseWBB on social media.