SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Syracuse women’s basketball team delivered a dominant performance from start to finish, overwhelming Colgate 88-42 in a nonconference game Wednesday night at the Carrier Dome.

The Orange, improving to 9-1, showcased their depth, athleticism, and defensive intensity, leaving the Raiders (4-6) with little room to operate. Syracuse established control immediately, opening the game on a 14-0 run and never looking back. The tone was set in the opening minutes as the Orange forced a flurry of Colgate turnovers and converted them into easy baskets, building a 24-5 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The most important part of the game was unquestionably that opening blitz. Syracuse’s defensive pressure was suffocating from the opening tip. The sequence began with Izoje Uche winning the jump ball, and just eight seconds into the game, she scored on an assist from Dominique Darius. Colgate’s first possession ended in a turnover and a steal by Shy Hawkins. Before the Raiders could find any offensive rhythm, Syracuse had forced multiple turnovers and raced to a double-digit lead, effectively deciding the contest in its first five minutes. Colgate did not score until an Ella Mahaffey 3-pointer with 4:14 remaining in the first quarter, by which time the outcome was already heavily tilted in Syracuse’s favor.

Syracuse’s offense was a model of efficiency and unselfishness, generating 50 points in the paint and 29 points off 22 Colgate turnovers. The Orange shared the ball brilliantly, tallying 24 assists on 34 made field goals. Defensively, they disrupted Colgate’s sets all night, limiting the Raiders to just 14 points in the paint and forcing them into contested perimeter shots.

Uche, a sophomore from Delta State, Nigeria, led all scorers with 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting, adding three assists and a block in just 19 minutes. Her interior presence was a constant problem for Colgate. Darius, a guard from Jacksonville, Florida, orchestrated the offense with precision, dishing out 10 assists against only two turnovers while adding five points and four steals.

Syracuse’s balanced attack featured significant contributions from its bench. Australian sophomore Sophie Burrows scored 13 points and grabbed six rebounds, while fellow Australian Madeline Potts added 10 points and five rebounds. Laila Phelia and Keira Scott each chipped in 10 points, with Scott also pulling down nine rebounds. Shy Hawkins provided energy off the bench with eight points, six rebounds, and three steals.

Colgate, struggling against Syracuse’s length and speed, was led by Abbey Ferguson of Holmdel, New Jersey. The guard played a team-high 37 minutes and finished with nine points, two assists, and two blocks. Ella Mahaffey added six points. The Raiders shot just 29% from the field and committed 22 turnovers, which Syracuse relentlessly converted into transition opportunities.

The Orange led 42-16 at halftime and extended their advantage after the break, outscoring Colgate 22-12 in the third quarter. Syracuse’s lead ballooned to as many as 48 points in the fourth quarter as they continued to execute with their reserves on the floor.

The announced attendance at the Carrier Dome was 2,283. The victory extends Syracuse’s strong start to the season, with their only loss coming on the road against Michigan. Colgate has now lost three straight games, including a home defeat to Albany on Monday.

Syracuse next hosts Binghamton on Tuesday, Dec. 16, before a matchup with Duke on Dec. 28 opens a challenging Atlantic Coast Conference slate. Colgate will look to regroup and will not play again until they visit Binghamton on Saturday, Dec. 20.