MIAMI, Fla. – Shae Kelley tied her career high with 30 points to help lead the Old Dominion University women’s basketball team over FIU, 72-56. With their fourth consecutive win, the Lady Monarchs are assured a top eight finish in Conference USA play and officially clinch a bye in the first round for the conference tournament in El Paso, Texas in two weeks. ODU now advances to 15-14 overall and 8-7 in conference play, while the Panthers fall to 12-16 on the season and 6-9 in C-USA action.
The Lady Monarchs stretched their lead to 10 points on four different occasions during the first half, but a Jerica Coley three-pointer with just six seconds on the game-clock cut the Panthers deficit to 37-31 heading into the locker rooms. The first half saw a total of four ties and three lead changes.
Old Dominion outscored FIU 35-25 in the second half and led by as many 21 points at one point. For the game, the Lady Monarchs shot a blistering 49.2% (31-63) from the floor, 66.7% (2-3) from three and 88.9% (8-9) from the charity stripe.
FIU did not have an answer for ODU down low, as the Lady Monarchs outscored the Panthers in the paint 42-22 on Saturday night. Old Dominion’s bench also outscored FIU’s, 12-0.
Shae Kelley complimented her 30 points with 12 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and two steals in 33 minutes of work. Kelley has now recorded 16 double-doubles this season, which ranks in the top 20 nationally.
Also performing brilliantly for Old Dominion were Chelisa Painter (10 points and seven rebounds) and Becca Allison who netted 10 points. Destinee Young scored six points and grabbed seven boards in 17 minutes of action. Odegua Oigbokie finished the contest with six points as well.
The nation’s second leading scorer, Jerica Coley, hit her season average and led the Panthers with 29 points and seven rebounds. Also in double-figures for FIU was Taylor Shade, who scored 11 points.
For the game, FIU was held to just 31.1% (23-74) shooting from the floor, 15.8% (3-19) from downtown and 70% (7-10) from the charity stripe.
FIRST HALF NOTES
Shae Kelley led all scorers with 19 points to go along with seven rebounds, while Jerica Coley kept FIU in the ballgame in the first half with 17 points.
For the half, Old Dominion shot 50% (17-34) from the floor, 100% (1-1) from three and 100% (2-2) from the free-throw line. The Panthers shot 41.2% (14-34) from the floor, 33.3% (2-6) from three and 50% (1-2) from the free-throw line.
Next Up for the Lady Monarchs
Old Dominion will return home for Senior night on Wednesday, March 5, when they will take on the Pirates from East Carolina University at 7:00 p.m.
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