NORFOLK, Va. – The Old Dominion University women’s basketball team took down Presbyterian in both teams’ season opener 41-26 on Friday night at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. 26 points ties the fewest points against by an ODU opponent since it held Towson to 26 in the 2001-02 season opener.
At the 7:11 mark, the Lady Monarchs took a 12-7 advantage behind five points in seven minutes off the bench from sophomore Destinee Young. By the final media timeout of the first half, ODU held onto a 15-9 lead with 3:56 to play.
Old Dominion doubled up PC’s first half total, as the Lady Monarchs held the Blue Hose to just 11 first half points on 5-24 (21%) shooting from the field and 1-9 (11%) three-point shooting. The least amount of allowed points in 2013-14 for the Lady Monarchs was 16 at Rice.
ODU forced eight first half turnovers, while giving possession up nine times. Old Dominion shot 5-20 (25%) from the field in the first half, and 2-9 (22%) from downtown. The Lady Monarchs connected on 10-16 attempts from the free-throw line in the opening 20 minutes. PC didn’t attempt a first-half free-throw.
The first half experienced a total of five lead changes and two tied scores, as Old Dominion dominated bench points, 11-3.
With 15:15 to play in the second half, ODU led 27-13, before extending their advantage to 33-16 at the 8:43 mark. Old Dominion held onto a 17-point lead (35-28) with just over five minutes remaining.
By the end of regulation, the Lady Monarchs pulled away, claiming a 41-26 victory in their regular season opener.
For the game, Old Dominion hit 27.3% (12-44) of their shot attempts, 13.3% (2-15) from downtown and 48.4% (15-31) from the charity stripe. Presbyterian shot 22.4% (11-49) from the floor, 5.3% (1-19) from three and 50% (3-6) from the free-throw line.
PC boasted the nation’s second-ranked scoring defensive last season, holding opponents to 53.5 points per game.
Destinee Young was named the Cox Communications Player of the Game after scoring eight points, grabbing seven rebounds, blocking three shots, compiling three steals and dishing out two assists.
Jennie Simms led all scorers with 12 points to go along with five rebounds. Redshirt senior Chelisa Painter scored nine points and hauled down eight rebounds.
Keyonna Allen led the Blue Hose with ten points and nine rebounds, while teammate Aianna Kelly scored six points and recorded nine boards.
NEXT UP FOR THE LADY MONARCHS
Old Dominion will be back on the hardwood Monday, Nov. 17 against cross-town rival, William and Mary. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.
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