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EL PASO, Texas – A resilient Old Dominion University women’sbasketball team won their sixth consecutive ballgame and first ever (in as many tries) Conference USA Tournament game over a feisty UTSA squad, 79-74. With Wednesday night’s victory, the Lady Monarchs advance to the Quarterfinals for a chance to knock-off No. 2 seeded Southern Miss. on Thursday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. EST/9:30 p.m.
“That’s why they call it March Madness,” Old Dominion head coach Karen Barefoot exclaimed after Wednesday night’s win. Barefoot continued, “The effort and intensity from both teams was amazing tonight. I think towards the end of the game, our team just wanted it more and refused to lose. I am so proud this team.”
ODU’s First Team All-Conference USA junior forward Shae Kelley led three Lady Monarchs in double-figures with 19 points. Also in double figures for Old Dominion, were senior guard Becca Allison (14 points and seven rebounds) and sophomore guard Galaisha Goodhope (10 points, seven assists and four boards). Goodhope’s seven assists ties a career-high.
The Lady Monarchs jumped out to a seven-point lead (18-11) off a Michelle Brandao jumper with 12:46 showing on the first half’s game-clock. With 11:28 left in the first half, the Roadrunners took a 19-18 advantage.
With 7:33 to play in the first half, Old Dominion re-captured and extended their lead to 32-23 before UTSA’s Ashley Spaletta converted on a four-point play to cut their deficit down to 33-31 at the 5:13 mark.
At the half, Old Dominon held a 40-37 advantage, behind 11 first half points and four rebounds from senior guard, Becca Allison. ODU’s sophomore guard Galaisha Goodhope went for nine points, six assists and four boards in the first 20 minutes of action. Shae Kelley only played four minutes and some change in the opening half due to being hampered by foul trouble (two early personal fouls). A total of 18 fouls were whistled on Old Dominion, while UTSA committed eight of their own.
The Roadrunners started the second half on a 12-3 to take a 49-43 lead with 15:18 showing on the game-clock. A Destinee Young and-one layup brought the Old Dominion fateful to their feet as the Lady Monarchs recaptured the lead (59-57) with 11:05 to play.
A LaQuanda Younger three-pointer and then a Chelisa Painter fade-away jumper helped the Lady Monarchs maintain a 66-63 advantage with 7:38 to play in the contest.
Chelisa Painter knocked down both of her free-throws to give the Lady Monarchs a 75-73 advantage over the Roadrunners with 2:07 remaining in regulation. Old Dominion would then get crucial defensive stops to hold onto their slim lead and eventual 79-74 victory over UTSA.
Old Dominion’s victory over the Roadrunners, marked the first time all season that the Lady Monarchs committed more personal fouls (23 to 22) and still won the ballgame.
Miki Turner led the way for UTSA with 22 points and seven rebounds. Also in double figures for UTSA were: Kamara King (12 points), Tesha Smith (12 points) and Ashley Spaletta (10 points).
For the game, Old Dominion connected on 43.3% (29-67) from the floor, 29.4% from downtown and 66.7% from the charity stripe. The Roadrunners shot 40.6% (26-64) from the field, 21.4%% (3-14) from three and 76% (19-25) from the free-throw line.
FIRST HALF NOTES
The Lady Monarchs knocked down 51.6% (16-31) from the floor, 36.4% (4-11) from three and 66.7% (4-6) from the charity stripe. The Roadrunners shot 10-31 (32.3%) from the floor, 25% (2-8) from downtown and 15-19 (78.9%) from the free-throw line.
Old Dominion held an 18-6 in the points scored in the paint department. UTSA’s Miki Turner led the all first half scorers with 12 points.
NEXT UP FOR THE LADY MONARCHS
With Wednesday night’s victory, the Lady Monarchs advance to the Quarterfinals for a chance to knock-off No. 2 seeded Southern Miss. on Thursday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. EST/9:30 p.m. MST. ODU fans can follow all of the action live on ESPN Radio 94.1 with the Voice of the Lady Monarchs, Doug Ripley, on play-by-play and former Lady Monarch assistant coach, Susan Montgomery, handling color duties.
WHAT OLD DOMINION DID AGAINST SOUTHERN MISS THE FIRST GO AROUND
In the regular season on Jan. 15, 2014, five Lady Monarchs scored double-figures to lift the Old Dominion University women’s basketball team over So. Miss. 92-82, giving ODU their first ever win in Conference USA. With the win, Old Dominion snapped USM’s 12-game home win-streak
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