Feb. 7, 2010
NORFOLK, Va. - ODU suffered just its third ever CAA loss at the Constant Center today, and saw its 8-game winning streak snapped in a 75-56 final to the VCU Rams (16-7, 9-2 CAA). The Lady Monarchs slip to 11-10 overall and 9-2 in the CAA this season, back into a tie for the top spot in the league.
The loss was just the 19th overall on the home court for ODU since the doors opened in 2002 and just the fourth time since joining the CAA in 1992 that a league opponent has defeated ODU at home (vs. Richmond in 1992-93, Delaware in 2004-05 and JMU in 2008-09). It was also the first time VCU had traveled to Norfolk for a win since the 1972-73 season, when they won 52-44. With the win, Virginia Commonwealth is back in a tie for first with Old Dominion.
With just a seven-point deficit at the break, and the Lady Monarchs down only eight points with 8:14 remaining in the game, it was a final push that gave VCU the win in Norfolk. The Rams went on a 16-4 run over the next 6:21 to extend the lead to 20 points with under two minutes to play.
ODU opened the game on a 10-2 run, powered by a pair of three's from junior Jasmine Parker. The Rams countered with a 13-5 run of their own to tie it up at 15 with 8:20 remaining. They then took the lead a couple of possessions later, 19-18, on a tough bank shot from Waller.
The Rams would take advantage of the ODU turnovers down the stretch, ending the half on an 8-0 run and taking a 7-point lead at the break, 33-26. In the first half, VCU scored 11 points off turnovers, including four of the last six in the half. For the game, the Rams tallied 24 points off turnovers and 34 points in the pain, the most allowed by the Lady Monarchs since a triple overtime loss to Northeastern in early January.
VCU got the lead up to 13 at 48-35, with just over 12 minutes to play. ODU would try to chip away behind a strong effort from junior Kquanise Byrd, who would knock down a pair of three's and a couple free-throws to get Old Dominion back within single digits at 53-45.
After an exchange of layups, the Rams would stifle the run and hold off the Lady Monarchs the rest of the way. Courtney Hurt and Kita Waller were the catalysts in the second half, as Waller drained 16 points in the second twenty minutes. Hurt added six points and six rebounds for a double-double in the game, finishing with 14 points and 13 rebounds. Waller's game-high 23 points came on 9-of-21 shooting, while senior D'Andra Moss added 20 points for the Rams.
Parker led the way for Old Dominion, scoring 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including a pair of three-pointers. Byrd's 12 points came on 3-of-7 shooting, while going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Sophomore center Tia Lewis added a game-high 13 rebounds for ODU, while also collecting seven points and four assists.
ODU struggled from the field in the second half, knocking down just 28.6% (8-28) and finishing at 34% for the game on 18-of-53 shooting. VCU shot nearly 50% from the field, on 30-of-61 shooting.
ODU stays home this week as they entertain the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (14-7, 6-4 CAA) in CAA action Thursday night. Tip will be 7:00 p.m. as the Lady Monarchs look to bounce back against one of the league's top rookies, Elena Delle Donne, and the rest of the Delaware lineup.