By Syracuse University Athletics
Uncasville, Conn. — The Syracuse women’s basketball team (5-0) defeated Utah (3-2) in the first game of the Hall of Fame Classic 61-49.
Dominique Darius’ double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds helped put the Orange past the Utes in its first road game of the season.
The Orange will face No. 6 Michigan at noon Sunday here at Mohegan Sun Arena.
In the first quarter alone, the Orange had already collected 16 rebounds, four blocks and two steals, but Utah took a 25-21 lead to close out the first half. The Orange went on to outrebound the Utes 49-31 for the game, including a 24-6 edge on the offensive glass.
Freshman center Uche Izoje helped turn the momentum around as the Orange battled back and forth with the Utes.
Izoje collected five points, including an and-one maneuver, and Syracuse retook the lead in the third quarter after Darius nailed in a 3 from beyond the arc. Syracuse held a 42-39 lead going into the final quarter on a Laila Phelia 3-pointer.
Syracuse pulled away from Utah in the final quarter, outscoring the Utes 19-10. Darius put down another 3 to give SU its largest lead of the game and force Utah to call a timeout.
A steady Syracuse offense in the final minutes of the game gave the Orange the win to improve to 5-0 on the season.
Darius scored 14 of her 16 points in the second half.