MIAMI -- Behind a game-opening 22-0 run, the Old Dominion women's basketball team rolled to a 86-64 win at FIU on Thursday evening at Lime Court at FIU Arena.
"We really started off strong and everyone had a chance and an opportunity to play," said head coach Karen Barefoot. "I thought our defense was really solid and we had 22 assists. We really shared the ball and we really did some great things out there. It was fun to watch."
In a season-best offensive performance, Old Dominion (11-10, 6-4 C-USA) recorded season highs in points with 86 and field goal percentage at 55.0 percent. Jennie Simms led all scorers with 32 points, passing Nyree Roberts for eighth on the ODU all-time scoring list and breaking Anne Donovan's ODU record of 12 career games of 30+ scoring with her 13th career game of 30 or more points.
Simms added seven rebounds, six assists and three blocks, which tied her career high. Annika Holopainen recorded 17 points, tying her season high set last game, and a season-high seven rebounds, while Destinee Young added 14 points and 11 boards for her 12th double-double of the season. As a team, the Lady Monarchs also tied a season high with 22 assists.
Simms ignited the 22-0 rally to start the game, scoring the game's first eight points in just 1:45. The Lady Monarch defense held FIU (5-15, 3-6 C-USA) scoreless until the Panthers hit a pair of free throws at the 3:43 mark of the first quarter.
Following ODU's opening rally, the Panthers were able to outscore the Lady Monarchs, 30-24, in the remainder of the first half, as ODU carried a 46-30 lead into halftime. In the first half, the Lady Monarchs shot 55 percent as a team, while holding FIU to 33 percent.
The Lady Monarchs outscored FIU, 24-11, in the third quarter to carry a 29-point lead into the fourth quarter. ODU extended its lead to as many as 33 in the fourth to cruise to the 22-point victory.
Overall, ODU forced 19 FIU turnovers and held the Panthers to 36.4 percent shooting. ODU outrebounded FIU, 45-32, and held a 42-20 advantage in points in the paint.
Ashley Jackson finished fourth on the team in scoring with eight points, six rebounds and three assists and Carley Brew, who finished with two points and two boards, scored her first career points at Old Dominion. Kristian Hudson led FIU with 21 points.
"I feel like we're fresh right now," said Barefoot. "We just played a great game and we were very aggressive, but I also feel like we're fresh and ready to go for tomorrow's practice to get ready for FAU."
UP NEXT
The Lady Monarchs will make a short bus trip to Boca Raton for a matchup at Florida Atlantic (4-15, 0-8 C-USA) on Saturday at 3 p.m. The game will be streamed online at CUSA.tv and will be aired on the radio at ESPN 94.1.