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For the first time in Atlantic Coast Conference play this season, Syracuse won two straight games.

On Feb. 6, SU defeated Virginia Tech on the road behind Sophie Burrows’ career scoring day. Three days later, the Orange returned to the JMA Wireless Dome and started slow but came back to beat Wake Forest 62-50.

Over the last two games, Syracuse has won behind balanced scoring attacks. Against the Hokies, the Orange had five players in double figures and followed that with four players who finished with at least nine points against the Demon Deacons.

Now, SU travels to Stanford for the first game of a West Coast road trip Thursday. In their first year in the ACC, the Cardinal have struggled to adjust and are currently on a three-game losing streak.

Here’s everything you need to know before Syracuse (10-13, 4-8 ACC) faces Stanford (11-12, 3-9 ACC):

All-time series

Stanford leads 1-0.

Last time they played…

Then-No. 18 Syracuse fell 77-59 to then-No. 3 Stanford on Nov. 29, 2019. It was game two of the Greater Victorian Invitational in Canada and with the victory, the Cardinal continued their undefeated start to the season.

In the second quarter, the Orange shot 8% and were outscored by 14. With SU trailing 35-18 entering the second half, Stanford embarked on an 18-0 run before Digna Strautmane ended it with a 3. Despite a late push by the Orange, the Cardinal secured a commanding victory.

The Cardinal report

Stanford underwent a seismic change following the 2023-24 season. Its 38-year head coach, Tara VanDerveer, retired after winning the most games in women’s college basketball history. In response, the Cardinal hired Kate Paye, who was part of two National Championships under VanDerveer — one as a player and one as associate head coach.

The Cardinal started the season with eight wins in their first nine contests, then took a major step back. Stanford lost four of its first five ACC games, including two by four points.

Stanford’s 3-point percentage and defensive rebounding each rank top five in its new conference, but the Cardinal have just three wins to show for it. On Feb. 2, Stanford nearly led a 15-point comeback but fell two points short of upsetting then-No. 15 North Carolina. Then, it was demolished by then-No. 3 Notre Dame in South Bend before suffering a nine-point loss at Louisville.

How SU beats Stanford

Burrows has put the Orange on her back in recent contests, combining for 50 points in two straight games against UVA and Virginia Tech. Then, she followed with her second double-double of the season against Wake Forest. As long as Burrows continues her strong play, Syracuse has a solid chance to win its fourth conference game.

One of the most important battles of the contest is winning in the paint. SU ranks second (15.2) in the ACC in offensive rebounds per game while Stanford is third (27.8) in defensive rebounds per game. In Syracuse’s last game, center Izabel Varejão played just four minutes due to illness, but Burrows, Kyra Wood and Saniaa Wilson stepped up on the glass. They’ll match up with Stanford’s leading rebounders Nunu Agara and Elena Bosgana.

Stats to know: 1-3 vs. 3-5

Both Syracuse and Stanford, who are each in the bottom half of ACC standings, have struggled in two-score contests. When games are decided by six or fewer points, the Orange are 1-3 and the Cardinal are 3-5.

Many reasons can be attributed to these late-game falters. SU is without Dyaisha Fair, who stepped up late in games many times throughout her career, including in wins over Arizona and Virginia last season. Meanwhile, Stanford has had to deal with the losses of its top two scorers from last season, Kiki Iriafen and Cameron Brink.

Player to watch: Nunu Agara, forward, No. 3

Agara has been much more than just Stanford’s top rebounder this season. After coming off the bench in every game as a freshman last season, Agara has started every game this season and increased her point average by 11 points. She averages 16.6 points per game and has recorded at least 20 points in five games this season. She was injured on Feb. 6 against Notre Dame and missed Stanford’s last game, so her status against Syracuse is yet to be determined.

Published on February 12, 2025 at 9:31 pm

Contact Timmy at: tswilcox@syr.edu | @TimmyWilcox32