Nov. 22, 2002
Box Score|QuotesThe #22 Old Dominion women's basketball team opened the 2002-2003 season with a 63-55 loss to the University of Virginia Friday night at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.
Brandi Teamer led all scorers with 18 for UVA as the Cavs spoiled the opening of the Ted Constant Center. The Cavaliers jumped out to an 11-6 lead eight minutes into the game as ODU committed 11 quick turnovers. However, UVA could only build a slight advantage with the Lady Monarchs forcing them into eight turnovers of their own.
ODU would bounce back and take a 19-16 lead with 3:30 left in the first period. They would continue to hold that advantage as the teams went into the locker room with the home squad holding a slim 26-24 lead.
After a low scoring first 20 minutes both teams would come out more offensive minded in the second half but the score would remain tight. With 15 minutes remaining, ODU was hanging on by five points, 37-32.
Monique Coker (Bronx, NY) hit a layup with 10 minutes on the clock to put the Lady Monarchs ahead 45-40. But, with 3:42 left UVA's Cherrise Graham hit a jumper to give the Cavs a 53-52 lead, their first advantage since the 6:17 mark of the first half. Graham would score the next four points to put the Lady Cavs up for good.
The Lady Cavaliers ensured the victory by hitting four of six free throws down the stretch and converting on 70 percent of their free throws in the second half. ODU shot 44 percent from the charity stripe in the second half after shooting 75 percent in the first. Okeisha Howard (Virginia Beach, VA) led ODU with 17 points and added a game-high six assists.
The Lady Monarchs will head to the Virgin Islands over the Thanksgiving break to take part in the University of the Virgin Islands Paradise Jam in St. Thomas where they will play Arkansas, #1 Duke, and Hampton University.