Feb. 10, 2010
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
Game 22
Thursday, February 11th - 7:00 p.m. (EST)
Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs (11-10, 9-2 CAA) vs.
University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (15-7, 7-4 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 Lady Monarchs (11-10, 9-2 CAA) will be looking to bounce back after just their second CAA loss of the season with a 7:00 p.m. tilt against the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (15-7, 7-4 CAA). ODU lost on Sunday to VCU, marking just the fourth home loss in CAA play since joining the league in 1991-92.
The Lady Monarchs dropped a 75-56 decision to the Rams on Sunday, as for the second game in a row, juniors Jasmine Parker (Norfolk, Va.) and Kquanise Byrd (St. Petersburg, Fla.) led the way. Parker and Byrd each had 12 points in the game, while Parker continues to lead Old Dominion in scoring during CAA action. Parker is averaging 13.8 points per game in CAA games.
Sophomore forward Tia Lewis (Poulan, Ga.) hauled in 13 rebounds in the game, marking a new high against CAA opponents.
ODU's opponent on Thursday night is led by rookie sensation Elena Delle Donne. The freshman guard-forward ranks second in the nation in scoring and is also leading the CAA in rebounding. She is averaging 25.6 points per game while also grabbing 9.1 rebounds per contest. The 6-5 freshman also ranks second in the nation in free-throw shooting.
Delaware has played in many tight games this year, including a 60-59 Lady Monarch victory in Newark earlier this season. ODU edged out the Blue Hens behind Parker, who took a key charge and knocked down the game-winning 3-pointer on back-to-back possessions with under two minutes remaining. Nine of Delaware's eleven CAA games have been decided by single digits this season.
Today's Game
All-Time Series - Earlier this season, ODU took a one-point victory in Newark to extend the Old Dominion advantage in the all-time series to 13-3. The Lady Monarchs have won five straight and ten of the last twelve against the Blue Hens. Delaware, though, was the last team to win in Norfolk before VCU's victory last time out. ODU has never lost two straight CAA games at home.
About the Hens - The nation's second leading scorer, Elena Delle Donne, leads Delaware this season, averaging 25.6 points per game in her rookie season for the Fightin' Blue Hens. Not only is she leading the league in scoring, but she is also atop the league in rebounding, with 9.1 per game.
As a team, Delaware is fifth in the CAA, posting four losses by just seven points combined. Delaware lost to ODU by one to open league play and sandwiched a pair of one-possession overtime losses to Drexel with another one-point loss at VCU. They have won four of the last five, outscoring opponents by over 12 per game.
Delle Donne is leading the squad in nearly every statistical category with a team-high 32 steals and 34 blocks to go with her scoring and rebounding. She's also second on the team in assists, with 2.4 per game. The rookie player of the year candidate is shooting .504 from the field, .433 from beyond the arc and .915 from the free-throw line, which ranks second in the nation.
Tesia Harris is the only other player averaging double figures with 13.1 points per game while also hauling in 5.0 rebounds per game. Freshman Lauren Carra has started nine games and is third on the team with 6.7 ppg. The three combined have knocked down 96 three-pointers, 90% of the made 3's for the team.