Jan. 16, 2010
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
Game 15
Sunday, January 17th - 2:00 p.m. (EST)
Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs (5-9, 3-1 CAA) at
RV/RV James Madison University Dukes (13-2, 3-1 CAA)
JMU Convocation Center (7,612) - Harrisonburg, Va.
TV: None
Radio: ESPN Radio 94.1 FM
Online Audio: Monarch TV
Online Video: MadiZone (Subscription Required)
HARRISONBURG, Va. -- The ODU Lady Monarchs (5-9, 3-1) will try to add to their winning streak with a trip to James Madison University (13-2, 3-1). Tip is set for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. The Dukes are receiving votes in both national polls and feature one of the most dynamic scorers in the nation, Dawn Evans, leading the country in points per game with 27.1 ppg.
Old Dominion is coming off a pair of victories at home over Drexel and George Mason and are off to a 3-1 start to CAA play. ODU struggled through one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation, but have now won three of the last four. The Lady Monarchs have been led by Shadasia Green (Paterson, N.J.) with 13.3 points per game while sophomore Tia Lewis (Poulan, Ga.) is the team leader on the glass with 8.5 rebounds per game.
ODU is just five wins shy of 900 in program history, looking to become just the third team to reach the milestone behind Louisiana Tech and Tennessee.
Today's Game:
All-Time Series - ODU is 50-18 all-time against James Madison dating back to the 1969-70 season. The Dukes have won three straight over the last two seasons and is one of only two teams in the league to defeat Old Dominion more than three times in the all-time series. JMU has five wins over ODU in the last four seasons. The Lady Monarchs have not won in Harrisonburg since January 6, 2005, a span of four straight wins.
About the Dukes - James Madison is among the best teams in the league, featuring one of the best scorers in the nation, junior Dawn Evans. Evans is currently averaging more points per game than any other player in the nation with 27.1 points per game. She is dangerous from beyond the arc, averaging over four 3-pointers per game, also the best in the nation. When she's not scoring, Evans is a dangerous weapon at the point, dishing out nearly five assists per game as well, second in the CAA.
Evans is joined by rookie Tarik Hislop atop the JMU leaderboard, as Hislop is averaging 11.3 points per game. The freshman guard from Maryland has started all 15 games for the Dukes this season in the backcourt with Evans and is second on the team in assists, steals and points.
As a team, the Dukes are averaging nearly 74 points per game with a +10.8 scoring margin. JMU opened the season on a seven-game winning streak and have yet to lose at home this season. Head coach Kenny Brooks' squad has won three straight against Old Dominion, including becoming just the third team to sweep the season series against the Lady Monarchs last season.
Milestone March
Not only are the Lady Monarchs just four wins shy of 100 in the Constant Center, but the Old Dominion women's basketball program is just five wins away from 900. Old Dominion women's basketball boasts an all-time record of 895-309 (.743) 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 26 wins shy of her 600th.
CAA Preseason Poll
The Lady Monarchs were picked to finish third in the CAA Preseason Rankings, as voted on by the head coaches. Defending champions Drexel were pegged as the top team heading into 2009-10 with James Madison also selected ahead of ODU.
2009-10 Preseason Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Drexel
2. James Madison
3. Old Dominion
4. Delaware
5. VCU
6. Towson
7. Hofstra
8. UNC Wilmington
9. William and Mary
10. Northeastern
11. Georgia State
12. George Mason