Jan. 9, 2010
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
Game 13:
Sunday, January 10th - 2:00 p.m. (EST)
Ted Constant Convocation Center (8,600) - Norfolk, Va.
Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs (3-9, 1-1 CAA) vs.
Drexel University (8-5, 2-0 CAA)
TV: None
Radio: ESPN Radio 94.1 FM
Online Audio: Monarch TV
Online Video: Monarch TV
NORFOLK, Va. -- This Sunday, the Lady Monarchs (3-9, 1-1 CAA) return home for the conference home opener at the Ted Constant Convocation Center at 2:00 p.m., as ODU takes on 2009 CAA Champs, Drexel University (8-5, 2-0).
The Lady Monarchs just concluded a long four-game road trip with a pair of CAA games last week. Old Dominion defeated one of the top teams in the league in their CAA opener, Delaware, in a dramatic 60-59 game before falling to Northeastern in triple overtime, 100-94. It was the first win for Northeastern in the 8-game history of the all-time series.
ODU senior Jessica Canady exploded in the Northeastern game, playing a career-high 36 minutes and posting her first double-double of the season with 18 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. Junior Shadasia Green led the way against the Huskies with her third 20-point effort this season, scoring 21 in Boston.
Drexel is led by 2010 Pre-season and 2009 Player of the Year Gabriela Marginean. After ranking third in the nation in scoring last season, Marginean has broken the all-time CAA scoring mark this year. She's currently third in the CAA in scoring, with 21.5 points per game and is also among the league leaders in rebounding.
Tip is set for 2:00 p.m. at the Constant Center in Norfolk, Va.
Today's Game:
All-Time Series - ODU is 14-3 all-time against Drexel, but the Dragons won both of last year's matchups, including in the CAA Tournament. Drexel dropped ODU in the CAA Semifinals, handing the Lady Monarchs their first loss ever in the CAA Tournament. Drexel snapped ODU's 51-game winning streak in the conference tournament, winning a 62-41 matchup.
About the Dragons - Drexel comes into Sunday's game looking for its first three-game winning streak of the season, despite starting the year with an 8-5 record overall and a perfect 2-0 mark in the league. The Dragons have won four of the last five, but haven't won on the road since December 13, when they beat Saint Joseph's.
The Dragons are averaging over 60 points a game this year with their deliberate style of play, led by one of the CAA's finest players, Gabriela Marginean. Marginean is third in the league in scoring, with 21.5 points per game and is also among the league leaders in rebounding, hauling in 8.3 boards per contest. She also leads the team in steals, field-goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage. She is also an 89.5% shooter from the line. The Drexel senior recently became the league's all-time leading scorer, passing JMU's Tamera Young last game. She has compiled 2,134 total points in her career.
Drexel is also getting double-figure scoring from a pair of other players, in Kamile Nacickaite and Jasmina Rosseel. Nacickaite is averaging 12.3 points per game while Rosseel has 10.2 ppg, starting all nine games she's played this season.
Marisa Crane is among the CAA's leaders in assists, averaging 4.4 per game with 57 total assists in 13 games so far this season. The starting point guard averages 5.5 points per game and 2.9 assists as well.
Welcome to the Ted
Since the doors opened at the Ted Constant Convocation Center in 2002, the Lady Monarchs have enjoyed a 94-18 record. Last season, ODU suffered just its second CAA loss ever at the Ted, when JMU defeated the Lady Monarchs 72-67 on January 25, 2009. Of the 17 losses in the Constant Center, TEN have been to nationally ranked opponents.
Losses at the Constant Center
11/22/02VirginiaL, 55-63
1/7/03 #5 TennesseeL, 63-91
1/31/03 RutgersL, 59-67
3/22/03 Boston College (NCAA)L, 72-73
1/2/05 #8 TennesseeL, 58-68
1/9/05 DelawareL, 70-73
11/20/05 #1/2 DukeL, 56-93
12/4/05 #19/20 VanderbiltL, 77-82
12/29/05 #5 North CarolinaL, 80-88 (OT)
3/19/06George Washington (NCAA)L, 72-87
11/18/06 #21/24 KentuckyL, 55-69
12/22/06 #5 TennesseeL, 59-75
12/18/08#11/13 TennesseeL, 76-81
12/21/08#15/16 MarylandL, 65-74
1/25/09James MadisonL, 67-72
11/13/09#2/2 StanfordL, 56-89
11/23/09NC StateL, 52-62
12/11/09FloridaL, 67-81
Milestone March
Not only are the Lady Monarchs just six wins shy of 100 in the Constant Center, but the Old Dominion women's basketball program is just seven wins away from 900. Old Dominion women's basketball boasts an all-time record of 893-308 (.744) in over 40 years of play. There are only two programs in the history of women's basketball with 900 wins. Head Coach Wendy Larry is also approaching yet another milestone, just 28 wins shy of her 600th.
First Time in Triple OT
The Old Dominion Lady Monarchs have been playing collegiate hoops for over 40 years. The game against Northeastern this season was the first time in over 1200 games that ODU was forced into triple overtime. The Huskies won ithe game, 100-94, after 55 minutes of game time.
Still Toughest Schedule in the CAA
Old Dominion's schedule is the toughest in the CAA, and among the strongest in the country. After closing out the non-conference schedule, Old Dominion had the fifth toughest schedule in the nation. The Lady Monarchs RPI is also listed as #101 after the first 11 games. Both numbers come from rpiratings.com's weekly report.
1200 And Counting...
With the non-conference finale against Tennessee, the Lady Monarchs reached 1200 games played in the history of the program. ODU joins a select group of just eight programs to play 1200 games in their histories. They are Tennessee Tech, Tennessee, Stephen F. Austin, Long Beach State, Kansas State, James Madison, and Hofstra. ODU ranks second in winning percentage among these eight teams, going 892-309 over the past 41 years for a .743 success rate.
Senior Moments
ODU has just one senior this season, First Team Preseason All-CAA forward Jessica Canady. Canady has been working her way back from offseason surgery and has now started three straight games after being forced to sit through half of the non-conference schedule. She broke out in a big way against Norhteastern, scoring 18 points and hauling in a team-high 12 rebounds while playing a career-high 36 minutes. The Lady Monarch senior has breached the 800-point plateau and is now also over 550 career rebounds. Canady was a reserve player her freshman year, scoring only 92 points, making her 829 career all the more impressive, averaging 11.0 points per game since her sophomore season.
A Rare Occurrence
ODU lost to Tennessee by a final score of 102-62 in the non-conference finale this season, marking just the sixth time in program history the Lady Monarchs allowed a team to reach 100 points.