Dec. 30, 2010
NEW ORLEANS, La. - In a back-and-forth game that featured 16 lead changes and neither team leading by more than five, Tulane managed the final push as the Green Wave narrowly edged Old Dominion, 62-59, in the championship game of the Double Tree Classic in New Orleans, La. Thursday evening.
Junior Tia Lewis registered her fourth double-double of the season with a team-high 13 points and a career-high tying 17 rebounds. Lewis and senior guard Jasmine Parker were each named to the Tulane/Double Tree Classic All-Tournament Team.
The Lady Monarchs (6-5) were defeated for the first time this season when holding the edge on the boards. ODU outrebounded Tulane 44-32, but the Green Wave controlled scoring in the paint, holding a 40-24 advantage in points down low.
Tiffany Aidoo registered a game-high 17 points for Tulane, which improves to 10-2 on the year and wins the Double Tree Classic for the third consecutive season.
Aidoo, who was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player, broke a tie midway through the second half with five straight points, putting the Green Wave up 48-43.
Old Dominion rallied with an 8-2 run to regain the lead, 51-50, on a JoNiquia Guilford free throw with 4:31 remaining.
With less than two minutes to go in a tie game, Roshaunda Barnes converted a lay-up and Danielle Nunn hit a jumper to put Tulane up four. ODU sophomore Jackie Cook brought the Lady Monarchs to within one on their next possession, drilling a three-point field goal to cut Tulane's lead to 60-59 with 49 seconds left in the contest.
After a missed Barnes free throw, Parker drove the lane, but was called for a charge with 18 seconds left on the clock. Aidoo hit one of two from the charity stripe on Tulane's next possession, giving the Lady Monarchs a chance to tie the game or take the lead once again.
After a timeout, Parker drove the lane with three seconds remaining, but Aidoo reached in and deflected the ball away to thwart ODU's comeback effort.
Old Dominion next opens Colonial Athletic Association play Sunday at Towson. Tip time between the Lady Monarchs and Tigers is set for 2 p.m.
-ODU-