After allowing 84 points in back-to-back games, Syracuse women’s basketball shifts focus to defense from

Syracuse Women's Basketball Prioritizes Defense After Consecutive High-Scoring Games

Orange Concede 84 Points in Two Straight Contests

Syracuse, N.Y. - Following a pair of games in which they allowed 84 points, the Syracuse Orange women's basketball team is doubling down on their defensive efforts. The Orange have struggled defensively in their last two outings, surrendering 84 points to both the North Carolina Tar Heels and the Pittsburgh Panthers. These performances mark a significant departure from their previous defensive showings, as Syracuse had held their opponents to an average of 67.4 points per game prior to this skid. In response to these recent defensive lapses, head coach Felisha Legette-Jack has emphasized the need for improvement on that end of the court. "We need to be better defensively," Legette-Jack said. "We're giving up too many easy baskets and we're not rebounding well enough." The Orange will have an opportunity to address their defensive deficiencies when they host the Boston College Eagles on Sunday, January 29th. The Eagles are averaging 70.2 points per game this season, so Syracuse will need to be at their best defensively in order to secure a victory.

Key Areas for Improvement

Syracuse's defensive struggles have been evident in several key areas. The Orange have allowed opponents to shoot 46.7% from the field over their last two games, including a sizzling 50% from three-point range. They have also been outrebounded by an average of 9.5 rebounds per game during that stretch. To improve their defensive performance, the Orange will need to shore up their perimeter defense and limit their opponents' second-chance opportunities. They will also need to communicate better on defense and rotate more quickly to help each other out.

Outlook for the Season

Syracuse is currently 14-7 overall and 6-4 in ACC play. The Orange are in fifth place in the ACC standings and are in contention for a berth in the NCAA Tournament. If Syracuse can improve their defense, they have the potential to make a deep run in the postseason. The Orange have a talented roster led by All-ACC guard Tiana Mangakahia, and they have shown that they can compete with the top teams in the country. However, the Orange need to find a way to stop the bleeding defensively if they want to reach their full potential. They will have an opportunity to prove that they have made progress on that end of the court when they host Boston College on Sunday.