Preview: Syracuse Visits Struggling Boston College in ACC Women’s Basketball

NEWTON, Mass. (Interstat) — A surging Syracuse women’s basketball team will look to continue its climb in the Atlantic Coast Conference standings when it visits struggling Boston College on Thursday night at Silvio O. Conte Forum.

The Orange (18-4, 8-3 ACC) enter on a three-game winning streak, most recently edging Miami 65-60 on the road Sunday. Syracuse sits firmly in the conference’s upper tier, boasting a potent offense that has scored 79 or more points in six of its last nine victories.

Conversely, the Eagles (4-20, 0-11) are mired in a 12-game losing streak, all in ACC play. Boston College has not won since Dec. 22 and has consistently struggled defensively, allowing an average of 79.2 points per game during its conference skid.

A key matchup will feature Syracuse’s Sophie Burrows against Boston College’s Jocelyne Grier. Burrows, a consistent scoring threat, is coming off a 21-point, six-rebound performance against Miami and has scored 21 points in three of her last six games. Grier has been a bright spot for the Eagles, averaging 18.4 points over her last five contests, including a 23-point outing against North Carolina State and 20 points at Georgia Tech.

Syracuse’s balance was on display in its win over Miami, with Laila Phelia matching Burrows’ 21 points and Izoje Uche controlling the glass with 12 rebounds. Boston College showed fight in its last outing, a 70-60 loss to Georgia Tech, with Grier scoring 20 and Lily Carmody adding 19.

The teams represent opposite ends of the ACC spectrum. Syracuse has won eight of its last ten games, with its only losses in that span coming in overtime at North Carolina and against Virginia Tech. Boston College has lost by an average margin of 25.8 points in conference play.

Thursday’s contest is the first of two regular-season meetings between the schools. They will meet again in Syracuse on March 1.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST.