LAS VEGAS, Nev. – In the first ever meeting between Old Dominion and the University of Illinois at Chicago, it was the Lady Monarchs who came out on top by a score of 61-55 on Sunday night at the South Point Arena as part of the 2014 South Point Holiday Hoops Classic. Two wins in two days, moves ODU to 7-3 on the season, while the Flames fall to 8-3.
Jennie Simms sealed the deal for the Lady Monarchs with 15 seconds remaining as she scored her career-high on an and-one play, which gave the Lady Monarchs a 61-55 victory over the Flames. Simms finished the contest with 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
FIRST HALF
Old Dominion jumped out to a 15-11 after the first six minutes of action, in part to hot shooting from downtown as the Lady Monarchs drilled three of their first four three-pointers. ODU stretched its lead to 23-16 at the under eight media timeout, which occurred at the 7:55 mark behind nine early points from Jennie Simms.
The last media timeout of the opening half occurred with a minute and some change showing on the game-clock, as the Flames clanged to a 27-26 lead. At halftime, UIC and ODU headed into the locker rooms all tied up at 29 apiece, respectively.
In the first 20 minutes of action, the scoreboard experienced a total of nine lead changes and four ties. Jennie Simms led the way for Old Dominion in the first half with 12 points, five rebounds and two assists. Ashley Betz-White also scored in double-figures with 10 points and three assists. Terri Bender led the way for the Flames with 10 points.
For the half, the Lady Monarchs connected on 10-26 (38.5%) from the floor, a sizzling 5-9 (55.6%) from downtown and 4-8 (50%) from the free-throw line. UIC shot 44.8% (13-29) from the field, 42.9% (3-7) from three and did not attempt a first half free-throw.
SECOND HALF
The Lady Monarchs and the Flames remained tied up at 33-33 at the first media timeout of the second half (15:54). With 11:46 to play Old Dominion led UIC by a score of 39-35.
ODU stretched its lead to 46-39 with 8:28 remaining in regulation. UIC forced an Old Dominion timeout with 4:16 to play in the contest, as the Lady Monarchs held onto a 50-49 lead.
An Ashley Betz-White three with 2:45 to play tied the contest back up at 53-53 before Tiffany Minor drilled a three-pointer of her own to put ODU up 58-55 with 1:52 remaining in regulation.
Simms and company would seal the deal down the stretch lifting the Lady Monarchs to a 61-55 win over the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Betz-White finished the contest with 16 points, five rebounds, five assists and four steals. Odegua Oigbokie scored eight points to go along with her six rebounds.
Terri Bender led the way for UIC with 14 points and four rebounds, while Ruvanna Campbell finished with 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
For the ballgame, Old Dominion shot 42.6% (23-54) from the floor, 50% (9-18) from downtown and 46.2% (6-13) from the charity stripe. UIC finished the contest shooting 44.6% (25-56) from the floor, 23.1% (3-13) from three and 66.7% (2-3) from the free throw line.
NEXT UP FOR THE LADY MONARCHS
Old Dominion will get just over a week off of competition before making another trip out to the west coast to take on No. 23 California in Berkeley, Cali. on Dec. 29, with tipoff slated for 9:00 p.m. EST. The ballgame will be aired on the Pac-12 Network.
MINI REUNION
UIC head coach Regina Miller played and graduated from ODU in 1984 before serving as an assistant coach for the Lady Monarchs from 1987-92.
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