After defeating Maryland Eastern Shore and Albany last week, No. 17 Syracuse (3-0) rose three spots in the weekly AP Top 25 Poll. Emily Engstler had two double-doubles to lead the Orange in their second and third straight home wins to open the season.

Yet in both games, SU again started slow against nonconference opponents. A one-point lead over the Hawks at the end of the first quarter only turned into nine after the next 10 minutes. But behind Digna Strautmane’s four 3-pointers in the second half, SU pulled away for a 15-point win.

A similar situation unfolded just four days later. Syracuse and the Great Danes were tied at 16 after the opening quarter and SU only led by 10 at half. For the third consecutive time — the Orange were down 14 points against Ohio in their season-opener — SU pulled away in the final 20 minutes to ensure its third 3-0 start in four seasons.

Syracuse next faces No. 1 Oregon (3-0) Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Carrier Dome, its toughest nonconference game of the season. The Ducks are led by seniors Ruthy Hebard (23.1 points per game) and reigning Wooden Award winner Sabrina Ionescu (12.7 points per game). As a team, the Ducks currently average 99.0 points per game. SU, by comparison, has failed to top 75 points through its three games.