Nov. 29, 2009
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CANCUN, MEXICO -- Powered by career nights from sophomore Tia Lewis (Poulan, Ga.) and junior Shadasia Green (Paterson, N.J.), the Lady Monarchs (0-5) scored a season-high 75 points but fell just shy of a 23-point comeback victory against defending national runner-up Louisville (4-1), falling 82-75. The loss gives ODU the first 0-5 start in the 41-year history of the program, with four of the five losses coming at the hands of teams at least recieving votes in the national rankings.
Old Dominion shot over 62% from the field in the second half, mounting a tremendous comeback after going down 23 points in the first half. The Lady Monarchs would get within two, 56-54, after a Green fast break lay-up with 11:53 remaining in the second half, capping a 40-19 run.
ODU would get within three again on a free-throw from Green with 8:16 remaining and the game remained a two-possession contest for the remainder, but Louisville held off the Lady Monarchs charge.
The first half was marked by a 15-2 run for the Cardinals, lasting nearly seven minutes and putting Louisville up by 23 points. ODU controlled the final minutes before the break, scoring 12 of the next 13 points to pull back within 12 and carry the momentum into the intermission, down just 17, 44-27.
In the second frame, sophomore forward Tia Lewis caught fire, scoring 16 points on 4-of-6 shooting and 8-for-12 from the charity stripe. She added four second half rebounds and a blocked shot as the Lady Monarchs clawed back into the contest.
Green continued to play lights out, finishing the game 9-of-13 from the field and 6-for-9 from the free-throw line. She filled the stat sheet, leading the team in points (24), rebounds (8) and assists (5). She was named to the Cancun Thanksgiving Shootout All-Tournament Team for her efforts against Louisville and Syracuse, scoring 29 points with 18 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal.
Her and Lewis each tallied 24 points in the game, setting new career-highs. Lewis had scored 22 against North Florida while playing for Central Florida her freshman year and Green's previous high was 19 against Northeastern last season.
The two career nights were not it for Old Dominion, as sophomore center Mairi Buchan also added 12 points, her season-high, and leading scorer Jasmine Parker poured in nine with three steals. Buchan had two blocks and went 4-of-6 from the field while knocking down 4-of-5 free throws.
Louisville got equally as good of individual performances though, as Becky Burke knocked down 22 points, including 15 in the first half to help build the lead and senior Deseree' Byrd also had 20 points. The Cardinals shot 50% from the field in the game on 25-50 shooting and also hit 50% of their three's, going 7-of-14 from deep.
Old Dominion, behind a 62.1% second half, shot 44.1% from the field in the game on 26-of-59 shooting. The three-point struggles continue, though, as ODU managed just 2-for-14 from beyond the arc (14.3%).
Each team had 34 free-throw attempts with the Cardinals adding 25 and ODU 21 when the clock was stopped. For the game, Old Dominion outscored Louisville in the paint, 40-26, off turnovers, 30-17, and on second chance points, 15-11.
The Lady Monarchs are off for a week until they host Ole Miss next Sunday, December 6 at 1:00 p.m. Tune in live to odusports.com for updates, or to ESPN Radio 94.1 FM for live play-by-play. Fans are also encouraged to join head coach Wendy Larry at the Monarch Sports Grille on Monday night at 6:00 p.m. for the return of the Coach's Show on 94.1 FM.