Feb. 15, 2002
Old Dominion is looking to remain undefeated three ways.
It wants to stay unbeaten against North Carolina-Wilmington,in conferenceplay and over the last month as the Colonial Athletic Associationfoes meetFriday.
The 19th-ranked Lady Monarchs (17-5, 13-0) seem to have all the momentum asthey take on the Seahawks (12-10, 6-7).
Old Dominion, which has won each of the 24 meetings between the schools, isone of the hottest teams in the country.
The Lady Monarchs haven't lost since Jan. 8, a 74-62 decision against No. 3Tennessee. Old Dominion has only two losses since early December, the othercoming against top-ranked Connecticut 84-70 on Dec. 29.
Defense has been the key for the Lady Monarchs, who hold opponents to anaverage of 55.1 points per game and 34 percent shooting to rank among thenation's leaders.
There has been no greater indication of Old Dominion's defensive prowessthan its current 10-game winning streak, a stretch in which it has heldopponents to an average of 44.7 points per contest.
Old Dominion held N.C.-Wilmington to 26 percent shooting in a 63-39 win onJan. 24.
The Lady Monarchs, who also lead the conference in offense with 75.4 pointsper game, have outscored their last four opponents by an average of 31.5points.
Lucienne Berthieu scored 19 points and Monique Coker had 15 points and 10rebounds as Old Dominion defeated Delaware 72-45 Sunday.
Sharron Francis added nine points, nine assists and six steals for OldDominion.
The Lady Monarchs led 40-20 at halftime and cruised, building their lead ashigh as 36 points in the second half.
But Okiesha Howard, who tops Old Dominion with 13.3 points per outing, washeld to just 2 points, on 1 of 4 shooting.
N.C.-Wilmington recorded a season high in points in an 86-50 win overHofstra on Sunday.
Lillian Drumgold, who averages just 2.3 points per game, had a career-high15 off the bench to pace the Seahawks.