RICHMOND, VA. (Feb. 27)(AP) -- Okeisha Howard scored 19 points and NicoleBellinghausen had 17 as No. 15 Old Dominion extended its Colonial Athletic Association winning streak to 98 with a 93-67 victory overRichmond.
The Lady Monarchs (23-4, 15-0) haven't lost a CAA game since JamesMadison beat them 87-80 on Feb. 19, 1995. Old Dominion also has won 147 of 148 in the league since losing 72-67 to Virginia Commonwealth inits 1992-93 opener.
Natalie Diaz and Sharron Francis added 15 points each for the LadyMonarchs, who were without injured scoring leader Lucienne Berthieu forthe fourth straight game. Hamchetou Maiga added 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Richmond (11-14, 6-8) trailed 45-32 at halftime and closed to 58-49with 11:16 to play, but Diaz grabbed an offensive rebound and fed Bellinghausen for a 15-footer, then hit 3 of 4 free throws to push themargin back to 63-49.
A jumper by Maiga followed, extending the lead to 16, and the Spidersnever threatened again in losing their 14th consecutive game to the Lady
Monarchs.
Carolyn Constantakis led Richmond with 18 points, 14 from the foulline, and 12 rebounds and Michele Kocalnes had 17 points. Krystn Gullscored 13.
The Spiders led 14-12 eight minutes in when Francis started a 21-1blitz for the Lady Monarchs with a 12-footer in the lane.
Over the next 7 1/2 minutes, Richmond was 0-for-8 from the field andcommitted seven of its 13 first-half turnovers as Old Dominion took a33-15 lead.
Howard had seven points in the run and six other Lady Monarchs scored.
Berthieu, averaging 17.6 points and 9 rebounds, sustained a sprainedright shoulder in a victory against William & Mary on Feb. 18 and is outthree weeks.