Syracuse Outlasts Boston College For 64-46 Win (And Orange Eagle Points!)

Syracuse withstood a slow offensive start, the absence of two starters and a bruised knee from its emerging leader, Alexis Peterson.

The Orange led by just two points at halftime, but relied on its depth at guard to overwhelm Boston College for a 64-46 win at the Conte Forum on Sunday afternoon.  Syracuse (13-5, 3-2) cruised to its second straight conference win, despite the losses of Briana Day and Brittney Sykes.

Day injured her ankle in Thursday's win with an awkward fall, but managed to return to the game during the second half.  She wasn't able to play at all against Boston College, ending her consecutive game streak at 50.  The sophomore center averages a double-double this season and, at times, has served as Syracuse's only forward on the floor.

Sykes, meanwhile, tore her right ACL on Jan. 4 against Notre Dame and will miss the rest of the season.

Without them, Syracuse went into intermission with a slim 24-22 lead, following one of its lowest scoring halves of the season.  The Orange have scored 22 in a half twice this year, one apiece against Fordham and East Carolina.

But the Orange broke open the game with a 9-2 run shortly after halftime, capped off by a three point play from Taylor Ford.  The 6-foot-0 forward took advantage of an increased role without Day and led Syracuse with 15 points off the bench, which set a career high.  Ford is averaging nearly 12 points over the past three games, after a quiet start to the season.

Backup guard Diamond Henderson also chipped in 13 points, while Peterson continued her hot play with 11 points and six assists. Peterson banged up her knee midway through the second half, but returned at the 9:02 mark and got assists on back-to-back possessions.

The Orange is next in action at Pittsburgh on Thursday at 7 p.m.