Nov. 15, 2008
AUSTIN, Texas - The No. 25/20 Old Dominion women's basketball team kicked off the 2008-09 season with a balanced scoring attack as six different Lady Monarchs reached double figures in a 93-63 win over St. Mary's in the first of three games at the World Vision Classic hosted by the University of Texas.
The Lady Monarchs were led by senior Tiffany Green (Chesapeake, Va.) with 19 points.
Old Dominion broke open the game midway through the first half. Up 15-13 with 12:38 left in the half, the Lady Monarchs went on a 13-2 run and would never allow the Gaels to a single digit deficit the rest of the evening. With just under two minutes remaining, senior Jen Nuzzo (Newport News, Va.) would hit her lone three-pointer to give Old Dominion a 20-point cushion for the rest of the half. Nuzzo's trey gave the Lady Monarchs a 49-28 edge and shortly thereafter Old Dominion would head into the intermission leading 52-32.
St. Mary's would get no closer than 16 in the second half. A lay-up by junior Jessica Canady (Williamsburg, Va.) pushed the Old Dominion advantage up by 20, 62-42, with 12:51 remaining and the Lady Monarch lead would only continue to grow. Sophomore Jasmine Parker's (Norfolk, Va.) three gave Old Dominion its largest lead of the night at 32 points, 93-61, in the closing minutes of the game. Parker ended the evening going 3-of-3 from downtown and ending the game with 12 points.
Also scoring in double figures was Canady, who finished the game with a double-double, notching 13 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Mairi Buchan (Stirlingshire, Scotland) playing in her first career game collected 15 points, while senior Jazzmin Walters (Norfolk, Va.) poured in 14 points and dished a game-high six assists. Nuzzo captured 10 points, which included going 7-of-8 from the line.
Sophomore Shadasia Green (Patterson, N.J.) in her first career start led the rebounding crew with a career-high 11 boards as Old Dominion outrebounded St. Mary's, 57-35.
The Gaels were led by Louella Tomlinson with 17 points. Tomlinson, who led the nation in blocked shots last season, swatted away six Lady Monarch shots. Katie Batlin and Ashlee Smith added in 10 points as well.
Old Dominion returns to action on Sunday, November 16th at 5:00 p.m. (EST) against Dayton in day two action at the World Vision Classic.