Syracuse Falls to Hokies

Thursday, January 8

Syracuse, NY

6 PM

Syracuse University

13-3,3-2ACC

Virginia Tech

12-5,2-3ACC

Virginia Tech

Syracuse

1/8/2026 8:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Press Conference Highlights Photo Gallery

SYRACUSE, N.Y.- The Orange women's basketball team (13-3, 3-2) fell 77-57 to Virginia Tech (12-5, 2-3). The starting five (Phelia, Burrows, Darius, Izoje, Thompson) accounted for 45 points, 10 steals and 25 rebounds against the Hokies.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Laila Phelia started the game off with a layup for the Orange off of Uche Izoje's easily won tip. Izoje and Sophie Burrows put pressure on the Hokies, blocking two shots in back-to-back plays early in the first quarter. Despite Syracuse's five blocks, Virginia Tech pushed through to go on a 7-0 scoring run and take the 22-15 lead over the Orange.

A difficult battle between both teams in the second quarter reflected a low score. The Orange struggled to find the net, but were able to pick up the momentum in the last three minutes of play in the half. Angelica Velez scored four points for Syracuse, and Phelia and Kiera Scott added two buckets as well, but it wasn't enough to overtake the Hokies' 13-point quarter. Both teams entered the locker room with Virginia Tech holding a 35-23 advantage.

In 41 seconds of play, Virginia Tech went on a 7-0 run in the third quarter. The streak was interrupted by Shy Hawkins who scored her first field goal of the game. Burrows' deep three-pointer helped chip away at the deficit against the Hokies as 'Cuse carried on to score four straight field goals. Journey Thompson led the team, scoring six points, but SU's effort wasn't enough to close in on the Hokies, trailing 62-41 heading into the final quarter.

Phelia led the Orange in the fourth quarter, scoring eight points, including two from beyond the arc. SU outscored the Hokies 16-15, but it wasn't enough to top Virginia Tech. Syracuse ultimately dropped the game 77-57.

OF NOTE

Uche Izoje has scored 10+ points in 13 games this season (14 tonight vs. Virginia Tech).
Izoje collected five blocks and seven rebounds.
Izoje led in scoring for the sixth time this season.
Sophie led the team in assists for the fourth time this season.
Journey Thompson shot a perfect 3-3 from the field.
The Orange had 10 blocks; five of them were in the first quarter alone.
Nine of 11 players who entered the court tonight scored for the Orange.

UP NEXT

The Orange will head south to Charlottesville to face Virginia on Sunday, Jan. 11. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m. on ACC Network Extra.

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