LAS VEGAS -- Odegua Oigbokie went for a career-high 25 points, but the Old Dominion women's basketball team lost to Abilene Christian, 74-60, in the finale of the Las Vegas Holiday Hoops Classic on Friday.
Abilene Christian (6-4) utilized a big third quarter in which they outscored ODU, 28-8, to pull away from the Monarchs in the second half. Aside from the third quarter, Old Dominion (1-11) outscored the Wildcats, 52-46.
"In the third quarter, our inability to defend and keep them out of the paint was costly," said head coach Nikki McCray-Penson. "It came down to whoever kept the other team out of the war zone and hit shots. We did that in the first half for the most part, and then they did that in the second half and that hurt us."
With Abilene Christian leading 30-26 at the break following an evenly-contested first half, the Wildcats used a 16-4 run to open the third and break the game open. ODU outscored the Wildcats, 26-16, in the fourth, but a 24-point deficit proved to be too much for the Monarchs to overcome.
Oigbokie's game-high 25 points, which is the most by an ODU player this season, came on 10-of-15 shooting. The senior forward also added six rebounds.
"Odegua has been a constant for us," said McCray. "We knew we had to get her the ball, that was one of the keys. And we did, but it came down to hitting shots."
Victoria Morris also finished in double figures for ODU with 12 points and Ashley Jackson added nine points, six rebounds and three assists.
ACU's Breanna Wright led three Wildcats in double figures with 18 points.
"We're not our record," said McCray. "We continue to get better in some areas. We just need to put it all together for 40 minutes. We are getting there. We just need to continue to trust the process."
Up next, ODU takes a holiday break before returning to The Ted for a matchup against South Carolina State on Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. Single-game and season ticket packages are available at YNotTix.com.
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