Feb. 8, 2002
Old Dominion looks to stay perfect against George Mason and remain unbeatenin conference play this season as the Colonial Athletic Association foesmeet at ODU Fieldhouse on Friday.
The 20th-ranked Lady Monarchs (15-5, 11-0) have won all27 meetings with thePatriots (11-11, 5-6).
Old Dominion won 71-51 on Jan. 13 in the first game between the teams thisseason. It was one of 11 dominating conference victories for the LadyMonarchs, who have won their Colonial Athletic Association contests by anaverage of 31.2 points.
The Lady Monarchs have won 130 of their last 131 conference games.
Sharron Francis led a strong start that gave Old Dominion a 22-0 lead andthe Lady Monarchs extended their overall winning streak to eight games witha 66-27 win over Towson on Sunday.
A stifling defense has led Old Dominion of late. The Lady Monarchs areholding opponents to 46.3 points per game during their winning streak andlead the conference in scoring defense at 56.8 points per game.
Old Dominion led 31-7 at halftime Sunday, the fewest points ever allowed ina half by the Lady Monarchs. Francis, who averages 8.1 points per game,finished with 15 points to pace the team.
This is the opener of a four-game homestand for the Lady Monarchs, who are6-2 at ODU Fieldhouse.
George Mason has lost five of seven, failing to reach the 60-point mark inthree of those games. The Patriots, coming off a 57-52 road loss to Drexelon Sunday, are 0-9 when scoring fewer than 60 points.
The Patriots rank near the bottom of the conference in shooting, making just
36 percent of their shots.
This is the finale of a four-game road trip for George Mason.