COLUMBUS, Ohio – All five Bowling Green starters scored in double figures to lead the Falcons past the Old Dominion University women’s basketball team on Saturday night, 77-58. This was the second game (of three) in as many days for both teams, as part of the first ever James Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Classic at Value City Arena.
In what was the first ever meeting between the two schools, Old Dominion just never was not able to overcome the early deficit that the Falcons created. Erica Donovan (12 rebounds) led all scorers with 18 points, followed by Alexis Rogers’ 17 points. Jill Stein (14 points), Jillian Halfhill (12 points) and Miriam Justinger (10 points) all also scored in double figures for BGSU.
Despite the Lady Monarchs having advantages in points in the paint (32-30), points off turnovers (16-9), fast-break points (9-4) and bench points (18-6), the Falcons used 47% shooting (25-53) from the field to come out on top Saturday night. Bowling Green (19-31 FT’s) also was able to get to the charity stripe more than Old Dominion (6-10 FT’s).
Stephanie Gardner led ODU in scoring with 14 points to go with her four rebounds. Tiffany Minor was a huge boost off the bench for Old Dominion, providing 12 points (5-10 FG), four boards and a career high four steals before fouling out in just 19 minutes of action. Shae Kelley battled foul trouble throughout the game, but still managed to post nine points, seven rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals.
FIRST HALF
The Falcons jumped out to a 16-4 lead in the first six minutes of the contest thanks in large part to two treys from Jillian Halfhill. At the under-12 media timeout, BGSU led 19-9; five of those nine Old Dominion points came from Tiffany Minor off the bench in a one-minute span.
In the first 10 minutes of play, Alexis Rogers was the first player in the game to reach double figures as she started off the game a perfect 4-4 from the field (1-1 3PT, 1-1 FT).
BSGU held a 33-21 advantage with 4:21 to play in the opening half. Minor continued to spark the Lady Monarchs after collecting three early fouls, as she started the game 3-4 from the floor (1-2 3PT) for seven points and also racked up two quick steals.
At the half, Bowling Green possessed a 39-30 lead behind 11 points from Alexis Rogers and 10 points and eight rebounds from Miriam Justinger. Gardner led the way for the Lady Monarchs at the half, netting 11 points.
BSGU shot 20 FT's to ODU's mere one attempt in the first 20 minutes of play (foul calls were 17-5 in favor of the Falcons). The Lady Monarch’s bench outscored BGSU’s 11-0. ODU also held a 7-0 advantage on fast-break points at the half.
NEXT UP FOR THE LADY MONARCHS
The Lady Monarchs stretch of three games in three days continues and ends tomorrow when they will square off against Marist on Sunday with tip-off slated for 1 p.m.
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