Old Dominion (2-1) vs. Bowie State (1-1)
Game Info – Friday, Nov. 15 at 4 p.m.
Location – Chartway Arena (Norfolk, Va.)
Watch – ESPN+
Listen – ESPN Radio 94.1
Live Stats – Click Here
Social Media – Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion women's basketball will look to make it three wins in a row when they host Bowie State this Friday for a 4 p.m. opening tip at Chartway Arena.
Chip Tarkenton and Kim Aston will call the action on ESPN+ while Matthew Hatfield and Shonda Deberry can be heard on ESPN Radio 94.1. Live stats will also be available.
The game marks a doubleheader at ODU as the men’s team will host Maryland Eastern Shore at 7 p.m.
The Series
The two teams have met once before when Bowie State made the trip to Norfolk on Dec. 8, 2021, a game that went to ODU by a final of 70-29. The Monarchs held the Bulldogs to single-digit scoring in the first and third quarters and were led by Ajah Wayne and Amari Young with 11 points each.
About ODU
The Monarchs (2-1) won their second straight game on Monday when they defeated Morgan State, 60-48. ODU led 24-10 with under four minutes to play in the second quarter, but a 12-0 run by the visitors cut that lead to just two at 24-22 before a mid-court heave from Simaru Fields beat the halftime buzzer. The Monarchs then put away the Lady Bears late in the fourth quarter as Kelsey Thompson finished with 12 points, Brenda Fontana was next with 11 points, and Fields chipped in 10 points.
ODU is averaging 61.7 points per game and comes into Friday’s game shooting 34.8 percent from the field, 30.8 percent from the perimeter, and 67.2 percent at the free-throw line. The team’s 17.0 offensive rebounds per game rank 30th in the country. ODU is also second in the Sun Belt in three-point percentage defense (22.6 percent) and third in free throws made per game (14.33), free throw attempts per game (21.33), and bench points per game (30.3).
Through ODU’s first three games, En’Dya Buford has paced the offense with 12.7 ppg. She’s also the top shooter at the charity stripe with 13 made free throws, good for third in the SBC, and is second on the team in rebounding with 18 boards (6.0 rpg). The Memphis, Tennessee native owns 13 assists and six steals as well. Fields is also averaging double-digit scoring with an even 10.0 ppg and has made a team-high six three-pointers so far. Mariah Clayton is next in scoring at 9.3 ppg and Thompson is netting 7.7 points per contest. Mikayla Brown (7.0 ppg) leads ODU on the glass with 21 rebounds (7.0 rpg).
About Bowie State
The Bulldogs (1-1) opened their season with a close 43-41 loss at UMES on Nov. 9, but secured their first win of the season with a 60-53 final at California (Pa.) this past Tuesday. Destiny Ryles converted 14 of her 17 shots at the line to finish with a team-high 24 points and added seven rebounds and four assists to her totals. Mia Smith contributed 13 points, Beulah Odiong chipped in eight, and Kristin Sterling ended up with eight rebounds.
A member of the NCAA Division II’s Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), Bowie State is averaging 58.5 ppg while shooting 34.7 percent from the field, 18.8 percent from deep, and 75.9 percent at the free-throw line. The Bulldogs are 10th amongst DII programs with 20.50 free throws made per game, 23rd in free throw attempts per game (27.00), 29th in field goal percentage defense (32.2), and 34th in three-point percentage defense (20.6).
Ryles (19.5 ppg) and Smith (14.5 ppg) are the top two scorers for the Bulldogs. Ryles ranks 16th nationally with 23 free throw attempts and 17th with 18 made free throws. Smith is second in the CIAA with 2.00 threes per game and has knocked down four so far.
Up Next
ODU will be back on its home court next Thursday, Nov. 21 when the Monarchs host in-state rival VCU at 6:30 p.m.
Season Tickets Available Now
Men's and women's basketball season tickets for the upcoming 2024-25 season are available now at odusports.com/basketball-season-tickets.
Men's basketball season tickets cost $217 covering all 16 of ODU’s regular season home contests. Women's basketball season tickets cost $115 for adults and include tickets to all 16 of the Monarchs' home games. Discounted season ticket rates are available for ODU faculty and staff, ODU letterwinners, young alumni, band and spirit parents and military. Fans also have the option for mini-plans which consist of six men’s games for $84 and six women’s games for $42. Single-game tickets will go on sale starting on October 16. Call the ODU Ticket Office at 757-683-4444 for more information.