SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Interstat) — The Syracuse women’s basketball team delivered a dominant performance from the opening tip, overwhelming Mercyhurst 106-40 in a nonconference game Friday night at the Carrier Dome.

A crowd of 10,226 watched the Orange improve to 11-1, while the Lakers remained winless at 0-11.

The game was effectively decided in a blistering first quarter. Syracuse, utilizing a stifling full-court press and relentless transition attack, raced to a 32-12 lead. The Orange forced eight Mercyhurst turnovers in the period, converting them into easy baskets. Sophie Burrows of Lower Plenty, Australia, and Dominique Darius of Jacksonville, Florida, set the early tone, with Burrows hitting two quick 3-pointers and Darius orchestrating the offense with multiple assists and steals.

The most important stretch of the game came during a 19-2 Syracuse run that spanned the end of the first quarter and the start of the second. After Mercyhurst’s Erica Hall hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 17-12 with 5:59 left in the first, the Orange defense locked down. Syracuse scored the next 12 points of the first quarter, capped by a 3-pointer from Angelica Velez of the Bronx at the buzzer. The run continued with the first seven points of the second quarter, pushing the lead to 39-12 and removing any doubt about the outcome.

Syracuse’s superiority was evident in every statistical category. The Orange shot 59% from the field, compared to Mercyhurst’s 24.6%. They dominated the paint, outscoring the Lakers 62-18, and capitalized on 21 Mercyhurst turnovers, scoring 38 points off them. Syracuse also controlled the glass with a 17-6 advantage in offensive rebounds.

Izoje Uche, a 6-foot-3 forward from Delta State, Nigeria, led all players with 23 points and 11 rebounds in just 20 minutes, recording her first double-double of the season. She was a constant force inside, making 11 of her 14 field goal attempts and adding three blocks.

Keira Scott of Falls Church, Virginia, also posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Burrows finished with 12 points. Shy Hawkins of Mastic Beach, New York, and Laila Phelia of Cincinnati, Ohio, each added 10 points, with Phelia contributing four assists and three steals.

Mercyhurst, which has lost its games by an average of 33 points this season, was led by Erica Hall of Mcdonald, Pennsylvania, who scored 14 points. Cici Hernandez of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, added nine points and four assists.

The Orange’s defensive pressure never relented, finishing with 15 steals and eight blocks. Mercyhurst managed only six assists against 21 turnovers and shot 6 for 33 from 3-point range.

Syracuse now turns its attention to Atlantic Coast Conference play, hosting Duke on Dec. 28. Mercyhurst will seek its first win when it hosts Fairleigh Dickinson on Jan. 2.