NORFOLK, Va. (Mar. 9) -- The #1 seed Old Dominion Lady Monarchs slugged their waypast #5 William & Mary this evening, 62-49. With the win, the LadyMonarchs set up a showdown with the #2 seed, James Madison.
William & Mary turned in a gritty performance, hanging with OldDominion throughout the first half and much of the second thanks to theplay of Ornit Shwartz (Netanya, Israel) and Quintina Walker (UpperMarlboro, MD). Shwartz scored 8 of her 10 points in the first half as theTribe went into the locker room down by just six. Walker scored 8 of her12 in the second half as William & Mary tried to keep pace with the LadyMonarchs.
The turning point in the game came early in the second half, asSharron Francis (W. Lanham Hills, MD) and Tiffany Thompson (Clinton, MD)drained three pointers to help open up the game. The Lady Monarch's leadstretched to double digits and as many as 17 at one point, but the Tribedidn't fold, cutting the lead to 10 points on two occasions. Old Dominion'sdepth proved to be too much late in the game, however, and the Tribefinally bowed out.
Reserves Monique Coker (Bronx, NY) and Alli Spence (Lafayette, CO)provided valuable second-half contributions for Old Dominion. Cokerfinished the game with 12 points and five rebounds and Spence pitched inwith six points, six assists and three steals. CAA Player of the YearHamchetou Maiga (Bamako, Mali) was held to seven points and seven rebounds.
The Tribe was led by Quintina Walker with 12 and Jen Sobota (Latrobe,PA), who finished with 11 points.
William & Mary finishes the season at 10-19. Head coach Debbie Taylorwas pleased with her team's effort against #1 seed Old Dominion.
"I was pleased with our hard work & overall effort against a toughteam on their home court. We showed a lot of heart against a great teamwith a lot of depth."
Old Dominion will take on James Madison tomorrow afternoon at 2 p.m.on HTS.