Jan. 20, 2010
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format
Game 16
Thursday, January 21st - 7:00 p.m. (EST)
Old Dominion University Lady Monarchs (6-9, 4-1 CAA) vs.
Georgia State University Panthers (11-5, 2-3 CAA)
Ted Constant Convocation Center (8,600) - Norfolk, Va.
TV: None
Radio: ESPN Radio 94.1 FM
Online Audio: Monarch TV
Online Video: Monarch TV
NORFOLK, Va. -- The Lady Monarch women's basketball team (6-9, 4-1) will return to the Ted this Thursday night as they continue with the CAA regular season with a 7:00 p.m. tip against Georgia State (11-5, 2-3).
ODU is coming off a big win at Harrisonburg against James Madison University, receiving votes in the national polls. The Lady Monarchs are now 4-1 to start the CAA regular season. It was the third straight victory for ODU, as senior Jessica Canady continues to play well in conference games. Canady is leading the league in field goal percentage during conference games and is averaging 10.6 points per game in CAA action this season.
Junior Jasmine Parker is also stepping into a leadership role and set a new career mark in rebounding last time out. Parker had 10 points, nine rebounds and also added a career-high tying six assists against the Dukes.
Georgia State features one of the league's premiere scorers in Danyiell McKeller, averaging 19.4 points per game. With Thursday night's game, ODU will have faced all four of the league's top scoring threats. On Sunday, at Towson, ODU will face number five on the list in the Tigers Shanae Baker-Brice.
Today's Game:
All-Time Series - Georgia State took their first victory in the all-time series last season, defeating ODU in Atlanta, 75-62. Prior to the win, ODU had won seven straight to open the series, dating back to the 2005-2006 season when the Panthers joined the CAA. With this season including, the two teams will have matched up home and home in each of the last five seasons.
About the Panthers - Georgia State had a stellar non-conference season this year, going 9-2 in out of league games. The Panthers pieced together a six-game winning streak and their only losses in the first 12 games came to the ACC's Florida State University and Georgia Tech. However, Georgia State is 2-3 to start the CAA season, with losses at JMU, at Hofstra, and at home to first place VCU. The Panthers have wins at home against UNC Wilmington and Towson.
GSU has been led by returning star Danyiell McKeller, among the league leaders in scoring. McKeller is averaging 19.4 points per game and is also third on the team in rebounding, hauling in 5.9 rebounds per game. She is fourth in the league in scoring and is shooting 44.9% from the field and is also leading the team in steals with 39.
Speaking of steals, the Panthers are one of the best in the league in takeaways, averaging 11.0 per game, behind only VCU. Georgia State leads the conference in assists and assist/turnover ratio, led by point guard Crystal Johnson. Johnson is averaging nearly six assists per game, leading the league and ahead of second place by a full assist.
Georgia State lost second-leading scorer Chan Harris for the season to a foot injury and have seen Shay Rawls step into the starting slot.
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 four wins away from 900. Old Dominion women's basketball boasts an all-time record of 896-309 (.744) 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 25 wins shy of her 600th.
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 29.3% from beyond the arc. In conference only games, ODU leads the league, allowing an abysmal 15.5% from long range (13-for-84).
Hot Conference Shooting
ODU can be found among the league leaders in several statistical categories. In conference games this season, senior Jessica Canady is leading the league in field goal percentage, knocking down 57.6% of her shots. In fact, ODU holds the top two spots and three of the top five. Sophomore Tia Lewis is second in the league, with 56.3% of her shots falling and junior Shadasia Green is fifth in the CAA, shooting 51.1% from the field in the first five CAA contests.
As a team, Old Dominion has the second highest shooting percentage in the league, behind only first place VCU. ODU is shooting at a 44.1% clip while VCU has knocked down one more shot in the same number of attempts to lead the league at 44.4% as a team.
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