March 4, 2009
NORFOLK, Va. -- Seniors Tiffany Green (Chesapeake, Va.), Jen Nuzzo (Newport News, Va.), and Jazzmin Walters (Norfolk, Va.) closed out their final game of the regular season and final regular season game at the Ted Constant Convocation Center on a high note with an 87-72 victory over William & Mary Wednesday night.
The Lady Monarchs, who had wrapped up the number four seed for the upcoming 2009 Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament last week, end the 2008-09 regular season at 16-12 overall and 11-7 in the league. Old Dominion will face the winner of the first round match-up between #5 UNC-Wilmington and #12 George Mason on Friday, March 13th at 2:00 p.m.
The Tribe meanwhile falls to 13-16 overall and 6-12 in the CAA. William & Mary will be the No. 10 seed at the tournament and take on No. 7 in first round action next Thursday.
Old Dominion overcame a slow first half as they trailed by one, 39-38, at the half, despite shooting the opening stanza at a 56 percent clip. The Lady Monarchs, who committed 11 turnovers in the first half, limited their miscues to just seven in the second half and found a way to capitalize on its second chances.
The visiting Tribe led by four, 61-57, halfway through the second half when the Lady Monarchs used a 9-2 run to take the lead for good. Sophomore Shadasia Green (Patterson, N.J.) went 3-of-4 from the line to start the run, followed by buckets by junior Jessica Canady (Williamsburg, Va.) and freshman Mairi Buchan (Stirlingshire, Scotland) as the Lady Monarchs went ahead 66-63 with 7:03 remaining.
CAA Player of the Rookie of the Week Taysha Pye tore down the court to pull her William & Mary squad to within three, 72-68, with 4:25 ticking down, but a putback by Canady ending in a traditional three-point play started a string of eight unanswered points for the Lady Monarchs. Tiffany Green knocked down a pair of three throws and Buchan drilled a three-pointer helping ODU to its first double-digit lead of the night. Buchan's trey gave the Lady Monarchs a 79-68 lead with 2:28 remaining.
Old Dominion had six in double figures led by Canady and Tiffany Green with 16 points. Canady posted her eighth double-double of the year with 10 rebounds.Also reaching double figures for the Lady Monarchs were Buchan with 12, going 5-of-6 from the field and 2-of-2 from downtown, Shadasia Green with 11, and sophomore Sierra Little (Greensboro, N.C.) and Nuzzo with 10 apiece. Nuzzo also tied her career high by dishing out the ball eight times.
Pye notched 26 points in the loss for the Tribe. Tiffany Benson collected a double-double with 19 points and 13 boards and Janine Aldridge added in 11.
The Old Dominion women's team returns to action at the 2009 CAA Women's Basketball Championships hosted by James Madison. Complete tournament schedule listed below:
More to follow....
2009 CAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Hosted by James Madison University
THURSDAY, MARCH 12 -- FIRST ROUND GAMES
Gm. 1 -- #8 Towson vs. #9 Delaware -- Noon
Gm. 2 -- #5 UNC Wilmington vs. #12 George Mason -- 2:30 p.m.
Gm. 3 -- #7 Hofstra vs. #10 William & Mary -- 5:00 p.m.
Gm. 4 -- #6 Northeastern vs. #11 Georgia State -- 7:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, MARCH 13 -- QUARTERFINAL GAMES
Gm. 5 -- #1 Drexel vs. #8/#9 winner -- Noon
Gm. 6 -- #4 Old Dominion vs. #5/#12 winner -- 2:30 p.m.
Gm. 7 -- #2 VCU vs. #7/#10 winner -- 5:00 p.m.
Gm. 8 -- #3 James Madison vs. #6/#11 winner -- 7:30 p.m.
SATURDAY, MARCH 14 -- SEMIFINAL GAMES
Gm. 9 -- Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 6 -- Noon
Gm. 10 -- Winner of Game 7 vs. Winner of Game 8 -- 2:30 p.m
SUNDAY, MARCH 15
Women's Championship Game - 3:30 p.m.