Nov. 10, 2008
NORFOLK, Va. -- Junior Jessica Canady's (Williamsburg, Va.) 22 points led a trio of Lady Monarchs in double figures as the Old Dominion women's basketball team concluded the exhibition portion of its schedule with a 69-48 win over Shaw University.
The Lady Monarchs, ranked 25th by the Associated Press and 20th in the ESPN/USA Today Coach's Poll, now prepare to open the 2008-09 regular season with three games in Austin, Texas in the World Vision Classic. Old Dominion will open the season with St. Mary's on Saturday, November 15th, Dayton on Sunday, November 16th, and #13/13 Texas on Monday, November 17th.
Old Dominion held a 35-23 edge at halftime. Shaw was within six, 20-14, with 6:37 remaining in the first half, but the Lady Monarchs quickly established a double-digit lead shortly thereafter for good.
The veterans continued to shine as senior Tiffany Green (Chesapeake, Va.) added in 13 and Shadasia Green (Patterson, N.J.) contributed 10 points to go along with Canady's game-high 22 points. The posts helped Old Dominion outscore Shaw, 41-16, in the paint.
Assist machines Jen Nuzzo (Newport News, Va.) and Jazzmin Walters (Norfolk, Va.) dished out five assists apiece with Walters also collected five steals.
Mairi Buchan (Sterlingshire, Scotland) led the newcomers with nine points and five boards.
Old Dominion was untraditionally outrebounded, 43-38, by the Bears. Canady led the Lady Monarchs with six rebounds.
Tanisha McGaughey led Shaw with 13 points and six boards.
LADY MONARCH MOMENTS:
* Freshman Jo Guilford made her first appearance on the hardwood in a Lady Monarch uniform. Guilford, who missed the Lady Monarchs' Blue-White game and the exhibition against the University of D.C. after suffering a knee injury in the preseason, saw action late in the first half.
* The Old Dominion Women's Basketball Coach's Show featuring Lady Monarch head coach Wendy Larry and Old Dominion play-by-play announcer Tony Mercurio will begin airing on Tuesdays throughout the season on ESPN Radio 1310 AM begining on Tuesday, November 11th at 7:00 p.m. Assistant Coach Niki Dawkins will join Tony in the studio for the first coach's show of the year.
* Just prior to Tuesday's Coach's Show, senior and Preseason Second Team All-CAA selection Jazzmin Walters and freshmen Rachel DeMita and Jo Guilford with join Tony Mercurio on his daily show on ESPN Radio 1310.
* Got Tickets? There's still time to get your season and single game tickets before the Lady Monarchs' first home game against Virginia on November 21st. To order tickets, visit www.coxtix.com, call Cox Tickets at 888-3COXTIX, or stop by the Constant Center Box Office between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.