Preview: Struggling Mercyhurst Faces Syracuse in Nonconference Finale SYRACUSE, N.Y. (Interstat) — A stark contrast in trajectories will be on display Friday night when the surging Syracuse women’s basketball team hosts winless Mercyhurst at the Carrier Dome. The Orange (10-1), ranked seventh in the latest AP Top 25 poll, look to close their nonconference schedule with momentum before entering Atlantic Coast Conference play. Their lone loss came on the road against then-Michigan. Since then, Syracuse has reeled off five consecutive victories, including an overtime win against Auburn and a decisive 72-54 triumph over Binghamton on Tuesday. Syracuse is led by dynamic guard Dominique Darius, who is averaging 15.2 points and 5.2 assists over her last five games. She scored 17 points with four assists against Binghamton. Forward Sophie Burrows and center Izoje Uche provide consistent interior presence for a deep Orange squad averaging 72.5 points per game. Mercyhurst (0-10) enters seeking its first win of the season after 10 straight defeats, most recently a 52-81 loss at Mount Saint Mary’s on Monday. The Lakers have struggled on both ends, allowing an average of 80.2 points per game while scoring just 55.8. The Lakers’ primary offensive threat is guard Erica Hall, who is coming off a career-high 26-point performance in 38 minutes against Mount Saint Mary’s. However, her production has been volatile; she was held to four points in each of the two games preceding that outing. Support comes from guard Cici Hernandez, who added 17 points and four assists in the last contest. This matchup presents a formidable challenge for Mercyhurst. Syracuse’s defensive pressure, forcing nearly 20 turnovers per game, will test a Lakers team that has committed 18 turnovers per contest. The Orange also hold a significant rebounding advantage, outboarding opponents by an average of nine per game. For Syracuse, the game serves as a final tune-up before a pivotal ACC showdown with Duke on Dec. 28. The Orange will aim to avoid a letdown against an overmatched opponent. Mercyhurst begins Northeast Conference play on Jan. 2 against Fairleigh Dickinson. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network Extra.