CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Nov. 25) - The Old Dominion women's basketball team captured its first win of the season with a 91-77 victory over North Carolina at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill on Saturday (Nov. 25). With the win, the Lady Monarchs improved to 1-2 while the Tar Heels fell to 2-2.
The Lady Monarchs used a balanced attack of four players in doubledigits to overcome a 12-point deficit and seal the victory. Freshman Corrina Turner(Miami, Florida) led the way with a team and career high 21 points and 15 rebounds. OldDominion pounded the glass, outrebounding North Carolina 47-33, for the difference inthe contest.
North Carolina took the momentum early, jumping to a quick 10-pointlead behind bullseye shooting from LaQuanda Barksdale (27 points) and Leah Sharp(13 points). Over the first ten minutes of action, the Tar Heels opened up theirbiggest lead of the night at 25-13.
Powered by three hoops by Turner, a three-pointer by sophomore guardAlli Spence (Lafayette, Colo.) and a baseline jumper from freshman Myriah Spence(Espanola, NM), the Lady Monarchs cut into their deficit. Two lay-ups byHamchetou Maiga (Bamako, Mali) tied the game at 28. From that point on, Old Dominiontook and never gave up the lead.
Leading by three points at halftime, Old Dominion maintained asingle-digit lead until the 7:32 mark. Several uncontested lay-ups and 15 second-half pointsfrom junior guard Sharron Francis (W. Lanham Hills, Md.) resulted in a 12-point LadyMonarch lead that remained in tact until the closing moments.
In addition to Turner?s team-leading performance, Maiga tossed in adouble double effort of 17 points and 10 rebounds while Spence chipped in with 13points. The backcourt tandem of Francis and Spence combined for 28 points on9-of-17 shooting (including 6-11 from three-point range), 13 assists, and just oneturnover.
Old Dominion (1-2) will continue its road swing, taking on in-staterival and 16th-ranked Virginia at 2 pm on Sunday, December 3 in Charlottesville. The LadyMonarchs will return to the Fieldhouse on December 18 when they take on UCLA at7:35 pm.