Jan. 23, 2010
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
Game 17
Sunday, January 24th - 2:00 p.m. (EST)
Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs (7-9, 5-1 CAA) at
Towson University Tigers (9-8, 3-3 CAA)
Towson Center (5,000) - Towson, Md.
TV: None
Radio: ESPN Radio 94.1 FM
Online Audio: Monarch TV (Subscription Required)
Online Video: Towson Sports Network (Subscription Required)
TOWSON, Md. -- The second-place ODU Lady Monarchs (7-9, 5-1) are looking to extend a season-best four game winning streak at Towson University (9-8, 3-3) this Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Old Dominion is riding a four-game winning streak after escaping with a narrow victory at home against the Georgia State panthers last time out. ODU won 58-54 behind a Shadasia Green bank shot in the lane with 21 seconds remaining and a pair of Tia Lewis made free-throws.
Lewis poured in another double-double, her fifth of the season, and was joined by senior Jessica Canady, who led the way for the Lady Monarchs. Canady had 15 points and hauled in 14 rebounds as she continues to excel in league play. In her final year, Canady is averaging 11.3 points and 8.5 boards in conference games.
Towson is led by Shanae Baker-Brice, one of the CAA's top scorers, averaging 19.1 points per game. She is also dishing out 4.5 assists per game as the Tigers are one game over .500 so far this season.
Today's Game:
All-Time Series - Old Dominion owns a perfect 13-0 record against the Towson Tigers, dating back to the 2001-02 season. The Tigers remain one of just three teams in the league yet to earn a victory against the Lady Monarchs, with Georgia State (7-0) and UNC Wilmington (40-0).
About the Tigers - Towson opened the season against a tough non-conference schedule, the second toughest in the CAA. Through the first 15 games, Towson's schedule was ranked the 45th toughest in the nation.
Towson is now one game over .500 coming off a win against UNC Wilmington, with a 9-8 overall record. They are also 3-3 in the CAA.
The Tigers have been led by one the CAA's premier scorers, Shanae Baker-Brice. The senior guard was named to the CAA Preseason All-CAA First Team and ranks fifth in the league in scoring, averaging 19.1 points per game. She is also second in the CAA in assists per game with 4.5.
After Baker-Brice, though, no Towson player is averaging even nine points per game. Haliena Snowden leads the team in rebounding with 6.6 per game and is second on the team in scoring with 8.8 points per. Simona Petronyte and Kandace Davis join Snowden and Baker-Brice in the starting lineup, but the fifth spot has been up for grabs with six different players earning at least one start this season.
As a team, the Tigers are averaging just over 59 points per game on 37.4% shooting.
Three-Point Defense
JMU, one of the nation's top long-ball teams, was able to knock down just a pair of 3-pointers on 23 attempts against the Lady Monarchs. For the season, ODU ranks fourth in the CAA in 3-pt FG percentage defense, allowing just 29.6% from beyond the arc. In conference only games, ODU leads the league, allowing an abysmal 17.9% from long range (17-for-84).
Hot Conference Shooting
ODU can be found among the league leaders in several statistical categories. In conference games this season, sophomore Tia Lewis is leading the league in field goal percentage, knocking down 59.0% of her shots. In fact, ODU holds the top two spots. Senior Jessica Canady is second in the league, with 56.8% of her shots falling.
As a team, Old Dominion is leading the league in schooting percentage, passing VCU after the last outing. ODU is shooting at a 43.7% clip while VCU is second at 43.0% as a team.
Milestone March:
Not only are the Lady Monarchs just three wins shy of 100 in the Constant Center, but the Old Dominion women's basketball program is just three wins away from 900. Old Dominion women's basketball boasts an all-time record of 897-309 (.744) in over 40 years of play. There are only two programs in the history of women's basketball with 900 wins (Tennessee & Louisiana Tech). Head Coach Wendy Larry is also approaching yet another milestone, just 24 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