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Syracuse returned to .500 after posting a dominant paint performance in its 78-50 win over Yale. Center Izabel Varejão recorded her first-career double-double and spearheaded the Orange’s strong second quarter, lifting them over the Bulldogs.

Ahead of facing Yale, head coach Felisha Legette-Jack revealed SU football head coach Fran Brown told her the Orange weren’t playing as tough as last season. But Syracuse returned to form on Sunday, leading Yale in rebounds while making 23 free throws — its most since Nov. 5 against Niagara.

Now, Syracuse hits the road to face Texas A&M in the SEC/ACC Challenge Wednesday. After making it to the NCAA Tournament last season, the Aggies are 4-4 this season and have dropped two of their last three games.

Here’s everything you need to know before Syracuse (4-4, 0-0 Atlantic Coast) faces Texas A&M (4-4, 0-0 Southeastern):

All-time series

Syracuse leads 2-1.

Last time they played …

Then-No. 18 Syracuse defeated then-No. 20 Texas A&M 75-65 on Nov. 14, 2018. The Orange trailed by one at halftime after allowing 15 points to Chennedy Carter, the Aggies’ reigning National Freshman of the Year. But SU adjusted in the second half, allowing Carter to tally just three more points. Meanwhile, Syracuse outscored Texas A&M by 14 points in the third quarter. This helped it gain a sizable lead and fend off a late run by the Aggies for the win.

The Aggies report

After going 9-20 in their first season under head coach Joni Taylor in 2022-23, the Aggies made the NCAA Tournament last season. But, through eight games this season, Texas A&M is off to the same start it had in Taylor’s first season at 4-4.

The Aggies dropped two games at the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament last week. After shooting below 30% from 3 the past two seasons, Texas A&M is shooting just 25% from long distance — which ranks 312th in the nation, per HerHoopStats.

Two of Texas A&M’s top-three scorers from last season departed, but leading scorer Aicha Coulibaly returned to command its offense. Meanwhile, Sahara Jones and Jada Malone have doubled their scoring outputs from last season. With four of their five starters standing at least 6-feet tall, the Aggies rank in the top 25 in rebounding rate this season.

How Syracuse beats Texas A&M

Syracuse is 1-4 against teams ranked in the NET top-100 rankings this season. Texas A&M, which is ranked No. 85, presents another challenge for SU. To earn their second-straight win, the Orange need to continue to win the battle on the boards and play tough, like they did against Yale.

Varejão and Kyra Wood’s interior presences were a key reason SU scored 48 points in the paint in its last game. Syracuse guards Angelica Velez and Dominique Camp need to continue to dish inside. The pair combined for nine assists and just two turnovers against Yale, which led the Orange to outscore the Bulldogs by 29 in the game’s last three quarters.

Hailey Hoang | Design Editor

Stat to know: 5.8

It’s been a block party for the Aggies this season. Texas A&M ranks 15th in Division I with 5.8 blocks per game, averaging nearly two more rejections per contest than last season.

Standing at 6-foot-5, Lauren Ware has been the Aggies’ primary paint protector this season with 2.3 blocks per game. Meanwhile, six total players have recorded at least three blocks.

Player to watch: Sahara Jones, guard, No. 24

Now in her third season as a full-time starter, Jones is setting career-highs in average points (12.1), rebounds (6.9) and assists (1.9). She is also pacing the Aggies at the charity stripe, with a team-high 29 made free throws. The graduate student has produced double-digit points in six of eight games and has one double-double.

Published on December 3, 2024 at 8:54 pm

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