SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – In the fourth and final game of the first ever James Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge, the Old Dominion University women’s basketball team (3-4) defeated Boston University (2-6), 62-56, at the MassMutual Center. Sunday afternoon’s game was a tale of two halves, as the Lady Monarchs only led for a total of 1:19 in the first half but would never trail for the entire second half.
After going down by as many as seven points, ODU finished the first half strong and took a 28-27 lead into the locker room after Galaisha Goodhope drilled a three-pointer with just 13 seconds remaining for the half’s last bucket. From there, the Lady Monarchs never looked back on their way to their third victory of the young 2013-14 season.
Shae Kelley garnered the Team MVP Award for the inaugural Hall of Fame Classic, after posting her second consecutive double-double (19 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals and two blocks). The James Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Challenge opened up with three games in three days last weekend in Columbus, Ohio and wrapped up today in Springfield, Mass.
Goodhope finished with 10 points and three rebounds, while Michelle Brandao earned her first 17 minutes of action on the hardwood for this season and poured in a career high eight points, five assists and grabbed three rebounds for the Lady Monarchs.
After shooting a blistering 52.4% from the field in the first half, the Terriers cooled down by shooting 32.4% in the second half. For the game Old Dominion shot 39.3% from the floor and connected on 6-13 (46.2%) from three-point range. The Lady Monarch’s defense did what they do best and forced BU into a total of 18 turnovers, which is one below ODU’s season average.
Boston University was led by Rashidat Agboola, who went 8-9 from the floor for 16 points and six rebounds. Also in double figures for the Terriers was Mollie McKendrick (14 points and 16 rebounds), as well as Danielle Callahan (10 points).
FIRST HALF NOTES
Mollie McKendrick led all scorers and rebounders totaling 11 apiece, giving her a double-double in just 15 minutes of work.
Galaisha Goodhope scored all eight of her first half points in the last seven minutes of action and nailed her only two attempts from three-point range. Shae Kelley went for six points and seven boards.
For the first half, the Terriers shot 52.4% from the floor and connected on 3-7 (42.9%) from downtown. The Lady Monarchs forced 11 first half turnovers and hit 50% (4-8) from three.
NEXT UP FOR THE LADY MONARCHS
Old Dominion will be back in action this Wednesday, December 4, against UMASS-Lowell as part of ODU’s annual Education Day. Tipoff is set for 11 a.m. at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.
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