Jan. 2, 2005
By LARRY O'DELL
Associated Press Writer
NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - Shyra Ely scored 15 of her 20 points in the first half,and Tennessee rebounded from a disheartening loss to Rutgers with a ragged68-58 victory over Old Dominion on Sunday.
Brittany Jackson added 16 points for Tennessee (9-3), which shot only 37percent, lost two players to fouls and was outrebounded 51-42.
Old Dominion (4-5) shot only 30 percent but kept the game close most of theway by dominating the offensive boards. The Lady Monarchs got 24 of theirrebounds on the offensive end.
The Lady Vols lost 65-51 to No. 24 Rutgers on Wednesday, but they stretchedtheir winning streak over Old Dominion to nine games. The victory ended OldDominion's home winning streak at 21 games.
Ely hit jumpers from the left and right wings and added a pair of freethrows during a 10-4 run in the first half to put Tennessee ahead 22-13, butOld Dominion chipped away and took its only lead of the game, 27-26, on TiffanyGreen's two free throws 4:28 before the break.
Dominique Redding hit a pair of free throws 14 seconds later to put the LadyVols back on top. Tennessee built the lead to 36-29, but a short jumper byShareese Grant and a layup by Lawona Davis made it 36-33 at halftime.
Old Dominion's Tish Lyons scored to open the second half, but Redding hit a3-pointer to spark a 9-2 Tennessee run. Ely hit two jumpers in the run, whichAlexis Hornbuckle capped with a driving layup to make it 45-37 with 16:28 left.
The Lady Vols twice stretched the lead to 10. But Sidney Spencer fouled outat 13:18 and Tye'sha Fluker followed suit at 7:06, and Sherida Triggs hit apair of free throws and a jumper to pull Old Dominion to 53-50 with 6:26 left.
Jackson responded with a 3-pointer, and the Lady Vols gradually pulled away.
Green led Old Dominion with 12 points and 11 rebounds, seven offensive.Davis added 11 points, and Grant had 10 for the lady Monarchs.