Syracuse women’s basketball: Orange drop 57-45 decision at Texas A&M

A late rally stalls and Syracuse falls below .500

The Syracuse Orange (4-5) let an early lead slip away on the road against the Texas A&M Aggies (5-4) in the ACC/SEC Challenge. The Aggies pulled away late to take a 57-45 win as Syracuse just couldn’t make enough shots in their first road game of the season.

The Aggies took the lead for good in the third quarter as they erased Syracuse’s two-point halftime advantage and took a 45-37 lead into the fourth quarter. To their credit, the Orange battled back in the final frame. They scored the first six points and had two chances to tie or take the lead down the stretch but were unable to get a key shot and the Aggies closed the game on a 10-0 run.

Syracuse started fast and got out to a 7-2 lead and kept that five-point margin through the end of the first quarter. At halftime the Orange held a slim 26-24 lead as they went into the break missing their last six shots. Keira Scott led the way with 10 points for Syracuse. Both teams struggled shooting the ball and with 8 turnovers each, it was a bit of a slog.

Scott led Syracuse with 14 points on 6-13 shooting. Kyra Wood had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Georgia Woolley had 11 but shot 3-17 as her and Sophie Burrows (0-9 from the field) struggled to get anything going.

The Orange shot 27% from the field, but their 17 offensive rebounds kept them in this one until late. Now they must regroup quickly as Notre Dame will come to the Dome on Sunday at Noon. It will also be the day Syracuse will retire the jersey of all-time leading scorer Kayla Alexander.