Feb. 6, 2010
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
Game 21
Sunday, February 7th - 2:00 p.m. (EST)
Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs (11-9, 9-1 CAA) vs.
Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (15-7, 8-2 CAA)
Ted Constant Convocation Center (8,600) - Norfolk, Va.
TV: None
Radio: ESPN Radio 94.1 FM
Live Stats: Gametracker
Online Audio: Monarch TV
Online Video: Monarch TV
NORFOLK, Va. -- The first place Lady Monarchs (11-10, 9-1) host the second place VCU Rams (15-7, 8-2) in a huge Colonial Athletic Assocation (CAA) matchup this Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
Old Dominion is coming off its eighth straight victory, a narrow 61-58 win at UNC Wilmington, to take over sole possession of first place in the CAA. ODU was led by Jasmine Parker (Norfolk, Va.) and Kquanise Byrd with 13 points each. Parker continues to lead the Lady Monarchs in league play, averaging a team-high 13.8 points per game. She is nearing the 800-point mark in her third year.
Senior Jessica Canady added 10 points, running her streak of games with nine points or more to nine games. She now has 923 points for her career and is averaging 11.5 points with 8.4 rebounds per game.
The Lady Monarchs are 6-3 at home this season, including a perfect 4-0 mark in conference games, and are just two wins shy of the 100th victory at the Constant Center.
VCU is one of the top offensive teams in the league, led by D'Andra Moss. Moss is averaging 17.4 points per game. Moss is also hauling in 6.5 rebounds per game. The Rams were in a tie for first place until their last time out, when they lost to James Madison.
Today's Game
All-Time Series - The series against VCU is the second-longest standing series in ODU history, in terms of games played. ODU has played 63 games against the Rams, dating back to the 1969-70 season. Only JMU has had more match-ups with Old Dominion. ODU has a 54-9 advantage in the all-time series, including wins in 31 of the last 33 games. Last season, though, the two teams split with ODU taking a one-point victory at home and falling by seven in Richmond
About the Rams - VCU had been deadlocked with the Lady Monarchs and Drexel atop the CAA standings until last game, when James Madison handed the Rams their second loss in CAA action this season. VCU will be looking to get back into first place in Sunday's game as they take onthe Lady Monarchs.
The Rams have won 10 of 12 after opening the season 5-5. They have been led by D'Andra Moss, ranking sixth in the CAA in scoring. She averages 17.4 points per game and is also second on the team in rebounding, hauling in 6.5 boards per game.
Three more VCU players are averaging double figures, including Kita Waller (14.1 ppg), La'Tavia Rorie (13.8 ppg), and Courtney Hurt (12.0 ppg). Rorie, the Rams top 3-point shooter, suffered a season-ending injury in mid-January. Hurt pulls in a team-high 7.7 rebounds per game while Waller has stepped nicely for Rorie, knocking down 40% of her 3-point attempts to lead the team.
The Rams are the league's second-leading offense, averaging 68.8 points per game. They also have proven one of the top teams in the league in terms of taking care of the ball. They lead the league in steals (11.0 spg) and turnover margin (+6.86).
Streaking to the Top
Old Dominion has won eight straight games and nine of the last ten games since the conference season has begun. ODU was locked in a three-way tie for first until the win against UNC Wilmington, when Drexel and VCU both lost to give the Lady Monarchs sole possession of first place.
51's Enough
Old Dominion defeated Hofstra this season by a final of 51-46. The 51 points scored tied the lowest scored in a win for Old Dominion since 1973-74. Twice prior, ODU has won with just 51 points scored, against UVA in 1980-81 and an overtime win against UNC Wilmington in 2002-03.
Whew! That Was Close
ODU is excelling in tight ball games this season, winning seven of the nine games decided by single digits, including five straight. Three came on the road (JMU, Towson and UNCW). ODU also defeated Georgia State and Hofstra at home by single digits. Old Dominion's closest game this season was a 1-point win at Delaware, powered to victory by Jasmine Parker taking a charge and knocking down a go-ahead 3-pointer late in the game.
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 third in the CAA in 3-pt FG percentage defense, allowing just 30% from beyond the arc. In conference only games, ODU leads the league, allowing an abysmal 21.7% from long range (28-for-129).
Hot Conference Shooting
ODU can be found among the league leaders in several statistical categories. In conference games this season, sophomore Tia Lewis is second in the league in field goal percentage, knocking down 56.9% of her shots. In fact, ODU holds two of the top three spots. Senior Jessica Canady is third in the league, with 53.8% of her shots falling.
As a team, OlDU is leading the league in schooting percentage. ODU is shooting at a 44.4% clip while Northeastern is second at 42% as a team. The Lady Monarchs are also scorching from long-range, shooting 35.1% from beyond the arc in CAA games, second in the league. ODU also ranks second in free-throw shooting, knocking down 75.5% from the charity stripe.
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