WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Old Dominion women’s basketball solidified its status as one of the finest basketball programs in NCAA history by claiming the program’s 1,000 win on Tuesday night after defeating the Howard Bison, 83-64, at Burr Gymnasium.
ODU became the fourth program to reach 1,000 victories, joining Tennessee, Louisiana Tech and James Madison as the only programs to achieve this feat. In its 47-year history, ODU women’s basketball teams have amassed a 1000-394 (.717) record and have landed 25 NCAA Championship appearances, 22 conference crowns three national championships and has produced countless All-Americans and Olympians.
Three players scored in double-figures for the Lady Monarchs, as Annika Holopainen, Gianna Smith and Destinee Young each recorded 17 points. Young posted her second straight double-double, finishing with 11 rebounds to go along with her 17 points, four blocks and two steals. Carolina Bernardeco paced the offense with a game-high five assists, while also adding eight points.
The first period proved to be an even affair, as the first 10 minutes ended with a 12-12 tie. At the start of the second period, the Lady Monarchs come out firing and took a 27-16 lead at the five-minute mark after putting together a 15-4 run. The Bison picked up the pace and outscored ODU 18-8 in the final five minutes to pull within one point (35-34) at the intermission.
Young led the Lady Monarchs in the first half with seven points and seven rebounds, while Bernardeco chipped in five points and two assists. The Bison were led by 13 first-half points from Sydni Johnson and 10 from Victoria Gonzales.
The Lady Monarchs matched their second period scoring output in the third quarter and added 23 more points to their total, while holding the Bison to 18 to hold a 58-52 advantage at the start of the final period.
Howard pulled within five points by the 5:46 mark in the fourth, but with the program’s 1,000th win on the line the Lady Monarchs responded. ODU put together a 19-4 run to close out the final 4:40 to secure the 83-64 victory and its place in the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball record book.
For the game, the Bison outrebounded the Lady Monarchs 43-37 but were held to just 34.4 percent from the floor and were forced into 18 turnovers. ODU shot a staggering 51.6 percent on 33-of-65 shooting and dished out 16 assists, three off its season high (19).
Victoria Gonzales led the Bison with 19 points, while Sydni Johnson added 17 and Shaylon Tarver chipped in 13 on the night.
UP NEXT FOR THE LADY MONARCHS
Old Dominion will be back in action this weekend, as it travels to Richmond, Va. to take on old CAA rival VCU at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Lady Monarchs lead the all-time series 57-15 and took the game last season 66-44 at the Ted Constant Center.
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