Syracuse Orange beats Iowa State 72-63 in NCAA Tournament Saturday

Syracuse won their first NCAA Tournament game against Iowa State with a score of 72-63. This win moves them to the next round.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

Syracuse (24-8) defeated Iowa State 72-63 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament this Saturday in Storrs, Connecticut. The ninth-seeded Orange secured their path to the second round, where they are scheduled to meet the defending national champions, UConn, on Monday.

The outcome pivoted on the first-half efficiency of Uche Izoje, who recorded 16 of her 23 total points before halftime, effectively offsetting the late-game offensive surge of Iowa State’s Audi Crooks.

Izoje powers Syracuse past Iowa State to set up meeting with UConn - 1
PlayerPointsNotable Contribution
Uche Izoje (SYR)2316 points in first half
Audi Crooks (ISU)3714 points in 4th quarter
Laila Phelia (SYR)18Consistent scoring
Olivia Schmitt (SYR)15Season-high performance

Scoring Dynamics and Game Flow

The narrative of the game was defined by the disparity between individual production and team distribution. While Audi Crooks acted as the focal point for the Cyclones—contributing 37 points, including a concentrated effort of 14 points in the fourth quarter to attempt a comeback—the Syracuse offense operated with broader participation.

  • Laila Phelia provided 18 points.

  • Olivia Schmitt registered a season-high 15 points and five assists.

  • Sophie Burrows contributed 13 to 14 points (reports vary slightly) and nine rebounds.

Statistical anomalies persisted throughout the match: Iowa State struggled with perimeter shooting, failing to convert on their first five attempts from behind the arc. Conversely, Syracuse faced initial offensive friction, struggling to find rhythm in the early segments of play.

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Izoje powers Syracuse past Iowa State to set up meeting with UConn - 2

Contextualizing the Bracket

The ' NCAA Tournament ' structure dictates the upcoming trajectory for Syracuse. By overcoming the eighth-seeded Cyclones, the Orange enter a high-stakes fixture against the tournament's top-tier program.

Investigative note: The victory carries added weight as Syracuse entered the competition missing their primary point guard due to injury. This absence forced a tactical recalibration, placing heavier burdens on Schmitt and Izoje to facilitate ball movement. The ability of the roster to maintain defensive discipline against a high-volume scorer like Crooks—despite the late-game pressure—serves as the primary indicator of their current structural viability heading into the contest against UConn.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Syracuse perform against Iowa State in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday?
Syracuse, seeded ninth, defeated Iowa State with a score of 72-63 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Uche Izoje was a key player, scoring 16 points in the first half.
Q: Who will Syracuse play next in the NCAA Tournament after beating Iowa State?
After defeating Iowa State, Syracuse is set to play against the defending national champions, UConn, in the second round on Monday.
Q: What were the key player performances in the Syracuse vs. Iowa State game?
Uche Izoje led Syracuse with 23 points, including 16 in the first half. Audi Crooks scored 37 points for Iowa State, with Laila Phelia adding 18 and Olivia Schmitt scoring a season-high 15 points for Syracuse.
Q: Did Syracuse have any challenges entering the NCAA Tournament game against Iowa State?
Yes, Syracuse entered the tournament without their primary point guard due to injury. This meant players like Olivia Schmitt and Uche Izoje had to take on more responsibility for ball movement.
Q: How did Iowa State's offense perform against Syracuse on Saturday?
Iowa State relied heavily on Audi Crooks, who scored 37 points. However, the team struggled with shooting from outside the three-point line, missing their first five attempts.