Jan. 27, 2006
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - The Old Dominion women's basketball team remained undefeated in conference play as they escaped Hofstra Arena with a 70-65 victory over the Hofstra Pride Friday night.
The Lady Monarchs improved to 9-7 overall and 7-0 in the CAA, while Hofstra falls to 11-6 overall and 6-2 in the CAA with both league losses coming against Old Dominion.
Tish Lyons scored all 15 of her points in the first half going 7-of-8 from the field and a free throw. The Lady Monarchs held a 34-23 halftime lead and held the Pride without a field goal over the final 4:32 of the half.
The Pride overcame their 11-point half-time deficit to keep the game close in the end. Hofstra outscored the Lady Monarchs 20-9 by the 13:36 mark. Lizanne Murphy hit a three-point to tie the game at 43-43. Although the Pride managed to tie the score up, Hofstra never led.
Old Dominion had a 57-63 lead with 1:50 remaining, but two free throws by Cigi McCollin and a lay-up by Gidden saw the Lady Monarchs lead drop to two with 1:02 remaining.
With time winding down, T.J. Jordan hit a monster three from NBA range to seal the victory for the Lady Monarchs. Old Dominion led 66-61 with 31 seconds remaining in the game.
Although McCollin managed a deep three to help the Pride pull to within three, 68-65, it was with only 11 seconds remaining in the game. Sherida Triggs hit clutch free throws in the closing seconds to add on to the Lady Monarch lead.
Joining Lyons with double figures was Sherida Triggs (Norcross, Ga.) with 12 and T.J. Jordan (Portsmouth, Va.) and Paula Muxiri (Luanda, Angola) each with 11. Shahida Williams (Newark, N.J.) hauled in 11 boards to reset her career mark.
For the Pride, Cigi McCollin poured in a game-high 20, while Vanessa Gidden had a double-double with 18 points and 16 points.
The Lady Monarchs return to action Sunday afternoon at Towson. Tip-off is at 2:00 p.m.