Jan. 12, 2003
FAIRFAX, VA. -- Junior forward Monique Coker (Bronx, NY.) scored a career high24 points and hauled in 14 rebounds to lead the Lady Monarchs to a 73-69 ColonialAthletic Association victory over George Mason Sunday afternoon. ODU is now 6-5overall and 3-0 in the CAA.
The double-double for Coker was her third of the season. She also dished out fiveassists and went 10-for-16 from the floor.
George Mason who is winless against the Lady Monarchs in 30 tries led by as much asten points, 27-17 with 5:30 left in the first half on a trey by Laura Kooij.The Lady Monarchs cut into that lead thanks to baskets from Lawona Davis (Port St. Lucie, FL., Monique Coker and a three-pointer by Myriah Spence (Espanola, NM.). George Masononly led, 31-27 at halftime.
In the second half the Lady Monarchs went on a 7-2 run and after Monique Coker'sbasket with 16:30 left, ODU led 36-35. After two Myriah Spence' free throws, ODU led44-36 with 12:17 left and Okiesha Howard (Va. Beach, VA.) hit a three-pointer with 9:19remaining to put ODU up 51-42.
Late in the game, George Mason rallied after two three pointers by Kooij and cut theLady Monarchs lead to three, 69-66 with 1:23 remaining. Kooij then missed a treyattempt with about 50 seconds left and Monique Coker then hit three of four free throwattempts followed by one free throw by Okiesha Howard. Shelbylynn McBride hit a threeas time ran out to cut the lead to the final score of 73-69.
ODU got outstanding contributions from its bench as Myriah Spence scored 11, LawonaDavis,two and three points from Marianthi Koukouvinou (Stockholm, Sweden).
Senior Okiesha Howard scored 12 points with five assists, while Kim Giddens (Va. Beach, Va.)added 14 points. Corrina Turner (Miami, FL.) hauled in nine rebounds. ODU shot 27-64from the floor (.420) and outrebouned the Patriots, 53-35. ODU committed 24 turnovers, butjust seven in the second half.
George Mason was led by Jen Derevjanik with 17 points, as did ShelbylynnMcBride. Laura Kooij finished with 15 points. Vernessa Neamo was held to nine points along with nine rebounds.
The Lady Monarchs return to action on Thursday night when they host James Madisonat 7 p.m. in the Ted Constant Convocation Center.