Syracuse Orange News: Jersey honor for women's hoops legend, SU programs perform well

In this latest round-up of Syracuse Orange sports news, a beautiful thing to share here on Kayla Alexander.

Alexander, a center, is a Syracuse women's basketball legend, as she is the program's all-time leader in career points, with 2,024. Per a release from SU Athletics, when the Orange hosts Notre Dame on Sunday, Dec. 8, at the JMA Wireless Dome, Alexander's No. 40 jersey will rise to the Dome's rafters at halftime of this Atlantic Coast Conference contest, which will tip off at 12 pm.

Alexander will become the second Syracuse women's basketball player to have her jersey honored in this manner, joining Felisha Legette-Jack, who is currently the program's head coach.

Alexander played for the 'Cuse from 2009-13, finishing her tenure on the Hill with 2,024 career points and 970 rebounds, which was No. 3 for the Orange on the all-time list. Per a cuse.com statement, she is the team's "career leader in blocks (350), field goals (736), free throws made (552), free throws attempted (750) and is tied for the most games played (140). Additionally, Alexander holds the single-season record for blocks (96)."

Alexander, who is from Milton, Ontario, resided on the All-Big East Conference first team and received an Associated Press All-America honorable mention as a senior for the 'Cuse. She said in the press release: "Well first I am beyond honored. It's still so surreal to me because in my head I've always believed that people who get their jerseys in the rafters, like those are legendary people and to me I'm just Kayla."

A huge, heartfelt congrats from Orange Nation to Kayla!

Other Syracuse Orange sports news to cover.

Syracuse field hockey notches road win
The No. 12 Orange, this past Thursday night, defeated non-conference foe Bucknell on the road by a final count of 7-2. The 'Cuse (11-4, 4-3 in the ACC), up next, will travel to former Big East rival UConn, which is ranked No. 8 nationally, for a non-conference battle that begins at noon this Sunday.

Syracuse cross country and tennis with strong showings
At the John Reif Memorial in Ithaca, N.Y., last Friday, the Orange cross-country teams did quite well. In a pair of 5ks, women's cross country placed seven in the top nine, while on the men's side, it secured the top-six spots.

Syracuse women's tennis was also in Ithaca on Friday, as the 'Cuse is participating in the Big Red Invite hosted by Cornell. On Friday, the Orange went a perfect 6-0, winning four singles and two doubles matches. The 'Cuse was set to continue at this event on Saturday and Sunday.

Other Syracuse Orange sports teams in action
This past Thursday night, Syracuse women's soccer (6-9-2, 0-8-1 in the ACC) lost at home to Miami, 3-1.

Syracuse women's volleyball (12-9, 0-9 in the ACC), playing at home last Wednesday evening, hung tough with Virginia but ultimately fell in five sets.

On Friday night, Syracuse men's soccer (6-6-3, 1-4-2 in the ACC) dropped a 6-1 decision at No. 3 Clemson.

Also on Friday evening, Syracuse ice hockey (2-6) hosted Boston University, and the Terriers prevailed on the road, 4-1.