Syracuse, N.Y. — It’s a day Dyaisha Fair will remember.
The No. 17 Syracuse women’s basketball team’s victory over Pittsburgh will be more than just another mark in the win column.
On a day with both struggle and success, Fair’s Senior Day will be a special one for her for years to come.
With this possibly being the final home regular-season game Fair will play for the Orange, she put the past five years in perspective after the game.
“Coming from Rochester, it’s not the easiest place, you know, to get from, to get out of it,” Fair said in tears.
“To start from there and be able to prove everyone that doubted me before I got here, to prove them wrong and to get here and be a part of the culture of what Coach Jack instills in her players has made me realize that over time … there’s always light on the other side, and that no matter what if you keep working, you’ll reach it.”
The day was not looking great for Fair to start, as she did not deliver her best performance during the first three quarters of Saturday’s 63-53 victory against the Panthers.
The guard went 3-of-11 for eight points in the first 30 minutes of play.
Still, after Fair tied Baylor great Brittney Griner for fifth on the NCAA’s Division I scoring list in the first quarter, Syracuse presented a short tribute to Fair on the JumboTron, before the camera turned to Fair watching from the bench and smiling after hearing the fans’ ovation.
Terrence Singleton Pradia, Fair’s father, was speechless regarding her accomplishment.
“I can’t explain it. I just can’t,” he said, choking up with emotion. He could not get a word out for over 10 seconds.
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The first sign of life came at the end of the second quarter, when Fair hit a step-through layup to secure sole place of fifth among the NCAA’s top scorers.
Even if the momentum didn’t manifest in the third quarter, Fair took over in the fourth.
She started the final…
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