NORFOLK, Va. – Wednesday’s contest marked the first ever sellout at the Ted Constant Center (8,472) for the Old Dominion women’s basketball team (4-2), in a game that Lady Monarchs cruised past Howard (0-7) by a score of 75-54.
The crowd of 8,472 is the seventh highest attendance ever in the state of Virginia to watch a regular season college women’s basketball game. Wednesday’s crowd was the second largest for a Lady Monarchs regular season game ever, the first coming on Feb. 20, 1981 when the Norfolk Scope drew 10,277 to watch ODU fall to LA Tech, 75-59.
Wednesday’s ballgame also marked the 4th annual Education Day game with the Norfolk Public Schools, which allows elementary schools throughout the school system to attend the game. This year’s game included more than 7,000 school children, which is up from 6,300 last year, with 34 of 34 schools participating.
Four Lady Monarchs netted double figures, as Jennie Simms led the way with 17 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and one steal. Destinee Young recorded her first career double-double, as she went for 12 points to compliment a career/game high of 13 rebounds. Also in double figures for Old Dominion were Odegua Oigbokie (12 points) and Chelisa Painter (11 points, four rebounds and two steals).
In the first half, Howard held a 10-9 advantage at the first media timeout, which came at the 15:53 mark. The Lady Monarchs trailed by four (19-15) at the second media timeout before Old Dominion ran off on a 16-4 run, giving ODU a 31-23 advantage with 4:20 remaining in the opening half.
The Lady Monarchs stretched their run to a 23-6 run to end the first half, taking a 38-25 lead into the locker rooms behind eight Jennie Simms points and five rebounds. Destinee Young corralled a first half high of seven rebounds. Leading the way for the Bison was Sydni Johnson who scored eight points and grabbed six rebounds.
For a first half which experienced five ties and three lead changes, Old Dominion connected on 37.1% (13-35) from the floor, 25.0% (2-8) from three and 83.3% (10-12) from the free throw line. Howard went 10-34 (29.4%) from the floor, 4-10 (40.0%) from three and 1-2 (50.0%) from the FT line.
ODU held a 47-30 advantage by the first media timeout of the second half at the 15:52 mark. Again, the Lady Monarchs stretched their lead to 53-24 by the second media timeout with 11:26 to play.
By the end of regulation, Old Dominion stretched its lead to 21 (largest of the game), claiming a 75-54 victory over the Bison.
ODU’s bench outscored Howard’s, 22-11, while the Lady Monarchs forced 19 Bison turnovers. For the ballgame, Old Dominion shot 36.8% (25-68) from the floor, 26.3% (5-19) from downtown and 76.9% (20-26) from the charity stripe.
Howard finished the contest shooting 31.3% (20-64) from the floor, 33.3% (4-12) from three and 76.9% (10-13) from the free throw line. The Bison were led by Te’Shya Heslip, who recorded 25 points on 9-16 shooting. Also in double figures for Howard was Sydni Johnson, who recorded a double-double, going for 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Last year’s attendance for the third annual Education Day of 8,104 is now the second highest Lady Monarch attended game at the Ted, which opened in October of 2002.
NEXT UP FOR THE LADY MONARCHS
Old Dominion will be right back on the hardwood this Friday, Dec. 5, at home against cross-town rival VCU with tipoff slated at 7:00 p.m. at the Ted Constant Center.
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