Syracuse's Burrows records career-high in rebounds in win over Clemson

Junior guard/forward Sophie Burrows scored 19 points and grabbed 16 rebounds to lead the Orange to a 68-64 victory.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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In Syracuse's pivotal 68-64 conference win over Clemson, Sophie Burrows scored a game-high 19 points while adding a career-high 16 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. The double-double is Burrows' first this season after registering two across her first two collegiate seasons.

Why it matters

Burrows has emerged as a leader for the Orange this season, with her scoring average, field goal percentage and 3-point percentage all down from last year. However, she has vastly improved in ACC play and is now seen as the team's leader, with an influx of transfers and freshmen joining the squad.

The details

Though Burrows' scoring numbers don't necessarily stand out among her teammates, she leads the Orange in steals and is second in rebounding, assists and blocks. In the fourth quarter against Clemson, Burrows missed a layup but battled to pull down one of her eight offensive rebounds before sinking the second-chance opportunity that gave SU a four-point lead. Syracuse held on to add another win to its NCAA Tournament resume, thanks in part to a 46-27 rebound advantage and 14 second-chance points to the Tigers' zero.

  • On February 15, 2026, Syracuse defeated Clemson 68-64 in a pivotal conference game.

The players

Sophie Burrows

A junior guard/forward for the Syracuse Orange women's basketball team who scored a game-high 19 points and grabbed a career-high 16 rebounds in the win over Clemson.

Felisha Legette-Jack

The head coach of the Syracuse Orange women's basketball team, who praised Burrows' focus and effort in the game.

Shawn Poppie

The head coach of the Clemson Tigers women's basketball team, who acknowledged Burrows as a "winner" who helped Syracuse get the big win.

Uche Izoje

A transfer player who is part of the influx of new talent joining the Syracuse Orange women's basketball team this season.

Dominique Darius

A freshman player who is part of the influx of new talent joining the Syracuse Orange women's basketball team this season.

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What they’re saying

“When she plays, she's locked and loaded. Her eyes are very focused on trying to be the best version of herself.”

— Felisha Legette-Jack, Head Coach, Syracuse Orange (syracuse.com)

“She's a winner, and she found a way to help them get a big win [Sunday].”

— Shawn Poppie, Head Coach, Clemson Tigers (syracuse.com)

“If they're not going to box me out, then I'm going to try to get in there and help out the bigs a little bit on the glass.”

— Sophie Burrows (syracuse.com)

“The biggest thing for us was feeding off of her energy, too. She came in, she was ready and she brought the team with her.”

— Laila Phelia, Player, Syracuse Orange (syracuse.com)

What’s next

With three regular-season games remaining, Syracuse has positioned itself to compete for some postseason hardware. The Orange have championship aspirations, and Burrows' leadership will be crucial as they try to take their regular-season success into March.

The takeaway

Sophie Burrows' career-high performance on the glass, along with her leadership and effort, were key factors in Syracuse's pivotal conference win over Clemson. As the lone remaining player from the 2024 March Madness team, Burrows has evolved into a vital part of the Orange's success this season.