Feb. 25, 2010
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NORFOLK, Va. - The Lady Monarchs (15-11, 13-3 CAA) would hold off a long-range second-half surge from William & Mary (11-16, 4-12 CAA) for a bounce-back home victory, 70-52. Four Lady Monarchs scored in double-figures, led by Jasmine Parker's team-high 17 points, as Old Dominion breezed past the familiar CAA foe for an NCAA-record 50th straight win in the all-time series.
Old Dominion improved to 51-2 all-time against the Tribe, with 50 straight wins. The win was also the 100th in the Ted Constant Convocation Center, improving ODU to 100-20 (.833) since the building opened in 2002.
The Lady Monarchs would take a 15-point lead into halftime, behind strong defense and a hot shooting effort in the first half. Old Dominion would force 14 turnovers and totaled nine steals, including a career-high three from JoNiquia Guilford. The Lady Monarchs scored 17 of their 37 first half points off of Tribe giveaways.
After Old Dominion went on a big run to go ahead 19-8, it was Janine Aldridge knocking down a pair of three's on back-to-back possessions and adding a layup two minutes later for a personal 8-0 run to get it back within three at 19-16 and 7:52 remaining.
Tia Lewis would stop the run with a layup off an assist from Shadasia Green to trigger another big run for the Lady Monarchs. ODU scored 12 of the next 14, retaking a double-digit lead at 31-18.
Aldridge would lead all scorers in the first half, finishing with 10 at the break. The Tribe would shoot just 29% from the field, though, on 9-of-31 shooting.
Meanwhile, the Lady Monarchs were shooting 60% from the field on 15-of-25 shooting. Jackie Cook and Jessica Canady led for Old Dominion, scoring nine points each. Cook added two rebounds, an assist, block and steal. Canady was 3-of-5 from the field with a 3-pointer and two rebounds. Guilford also filled the stat sheet for ODU in the first, scoring two points with three rebounds, two assists and three steals.
The Tribe would open the second half on a 12-3 run to get back within six of the Lady Monarchs, 38-29, as Old Dominion started just 0-10 from the field in the second. Sophomore Mairi Buchan knocked down a jumper from the paint with just under 13 minutes remaining to get Old Dominion a made basket, but ODU still had scored only three points in the first 9:40.
Junior Jasmine Parker would finally get ODU rolling, though, knocking down a long three and then jumping the passing lane for an easy breakaway layup to re-take the 10-point lead, 45-35, with 10 minutes remaining. After starting 0-10, ODU hit six of their next 10 shots.
The long-ball would help William & Mary keep it close in the second half, behind Aldridge's impressive 23-point performance. The Tribe knocked down eight three's in the game, tying a season-high for an ODU opponent this season. ODU would knock down it's free-throws though, including a 14-for-18 second half, to seal the 18-point win, 70-52.
Parker's 17 points came on just 3-of-6 shooting, as she scored 10 points from the charity stripe on 10-of-11 shooting. She added four rebounds, four assists and four steals in the game. Canady added 15 points and five rebounds, while also stealing three and adding a block. Sophomore Tia Lewis and rookie Jackie Cook rounded out the double-digit scorers for Old Dominion, with 11 and 10 respecitvely. Lewis also had a team-high six rebounds.
William & Mary got a game-high 23 from Aldridge on 9-of-18 shooting including five three-balls. She was the only Tribe player in double figures, but senior Tiffany Benson added eight rebounds and six blocks for William & Mary.
ODU will now travel to second place VCU for a big matchup in the road finale. VCU handed Old Dominion their worst home loss ever in the CAA earlier this season and will be looking to return the favor in Richmond with tip set for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 28.