Preview: Syracuse Visits Pittsburgh in ACC Women’s Basketball PITTSBURGH (Interstat) — The Syracuse Orange look to rebound from a rare conference loss when they visit the struggling Pittsburgh Panthers in an Atlantic Coast Conference women’s basketball matchup Thursday night. Syracuse (19-5, 10-3 ACC) arrives at Petersen Events Center following an 84-65 home defeat to Louisville on Sunday, which snapped a three-game winning streak. The Orange had previously been dominant, winning seven of their last eight, including a 93-59 rout of Boston College and a triple-overtime thriller against California. Pittsburgh (8-17, 2-11) seeks to end a prolonged slump, having lost eight consecutive games. The Panthers’ last win was a 64-61 victory at Boston College on Jan. 4. They are coming off a 95-80 loss to California on Sunday. The matchup features a stark contrast in trajectories. Syracuse, firmly in the upper tier of the ACC, boasts one of the nation’s most dynamic guards in junior Dominique Darius. Over her last seven games, Darius is averaging 17.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists, including a 20-point, 10-assist double-double against Boston College and a 26-point performance in a win over Stanford. Pittsburgh will counter with senior guard Theresa Hagans, who has been a bright spot during the losing streak. Hagans is averaging 13.4 points and 3.6 assists over the same seven-game span, scoring 19 points against California and 21 against Stanford. Syracuse’s offense, which averages over 76 points per game, will test a Panthers defense allowing 77.2 points per contest in ACC play. The Orange also feature interior presence Izoje Uche, who had 13 points, eight rebounds and four blocks against Louisville. For Pittsburgh to challenge, they will need to contain Darius and find consistent scoring beyond Hagans. Mikayla Johnson (16 points vs. California) and Fatima Diakhate (nine rebounds, four assists vs. California) will be key. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST. Syracuse hosts Clemson on Sunday. Pittsburgh travels to face SMU on Sunday.