Orange Comeback Attempt Comes Up Short Against No. 9 UNC

Thursday, February 20

Syracuse, NY

6 PM

Syracuse University

10-16,4-11ACC

#9 North Carolina

24-4,12-3ACC

North Carolina

Syracuse

Orange Comeback Attempt Comes Up Short Against No. 9 UNC

2/20/2025 8:04:00 PM | Women's Basketball

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The Syracuse university women's basketball team (10-16, 4-11 ACC) used the three-point shot to put together a second-half comeback attempt against No. 9 North Carolina (24-4, 12-3 ACC), but ultimately came up short to the Tar Heels, falling 68-58, Thursday night at the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange comeback attempt was propelled by a 6-of-9 (66.7 percent) second-half shooting performance from beyond the arc, but it was not enough to earn the home victory.

Georgia Woolley led the Orange in scoring with her 12^th -straight outing in double figures. The senior finished the night with 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Syracuse and North Carolina played a tight first quarter, with the visiting Tar Heels holding a slight, 15-12, edge after 10 minutes of play. In the second quarter, UNC was able to extend its lead to as many as 11, despite an 11-point second-quarter effort from Woolley.

Coming out of the locker room, the Tar Heels looked to pull away from the Orange, but 'Cuse would not go away. As UNC brought its lead to 15 at the start of the frame Woolley, Sophie Burrows, and Olivia Schmitt combined for four three pointers to keep Syracuse within 11 with 4:20 left in the third. Burrows and Schmitt added another pair of threes following the frame's media break to put 'Cuse within five, but the Tar Heels managed to bring their advantage back to 10 heading into the final period.

After UNC kept its lead at 10 points early in the fourth quarter, the Orange found a spark following a layup from Madeline Potts, using a 6-0 stretch to close its deficit to just six. North Carolina responded, however, with a 7-0 run, and did not look back after that, taking its 68-58 win at the JMA Dome.

TWELVE STRAIGHT FOR G
With her 17 points on the night, Woolley has now scored in double figures in the last 12 games for the Orange, along with 22 times this campaign. The senior scoring night led the way for Syracuse, something she has done in 12 games this season.

Woolley's 17-point night was an efficient one, as she shot 5-of-11 (45 percent) from the floor, including 4-of-5 (80 percent) from three. Along with her double-digit scoring performance, she also contributed four rebounds and four assists.

HAVE A NIGHT, LIV
Schmitt had herself a career night, pouring in a personal-best nine points on 3-of-5 (60 percent) from beyond the arc. The freshman provided a huge spark off the bench in the third quarter with her three three pointers and strong defense.

OF NOTE

Burrows contributed 12 points for the Orange, including a pair of makes from beyond the arc, for her 17^th game in double figures this slate. The sophomore also added four rebounds and an assist.
Kyra Wood added eight points in the loss. She was one of four players, along with Burrows, Woolley, and Saniaa Wilson, to record four boards in the game.
Syracuse forced UNC in 20 total turnovers as a team, well above the Tar Heels' season average of 12.8 turnovers per contest.
Woolley's four assists led the way for the Orange in the passing game.
The loss moves Syracuse to 10-16 on the season and 4-11 in conference play.

UP NEXT
The Orange hit the road to take on Duke at Cameroon Indoor Stadium on Sunday, Feb. 23. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. and the game will air live on The CW.

To keep up with your Syracuse women's basketball team, follow @cusewbb on social media!