Old Dominion (8-4, 0-0) vs. South Alabama (4-7, 0-0)
Game Info – Sunday, Dec. 29 at 1 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 is set to open Sun Belt Conference play this Sunday when the Monarchs host South Alabama for a 1 p.m. game at Chartway Arena.
Fans will be able to watch on ESPN+ with Chip Tarkenton and Kim Aston covering the game. Additionally, Matthew Hatfield and Shonda Deberry can be heard on ESPN Radio 94.1. Live stats will also be available.
The Series
ODU leads the all-time series, 12-3, and has won three in a row against the Jaguars. The Monarchs traveled to Mobile, Alabama on Dec. 30 last year to open conference play and came away with a 62-56 victory. The win marked the 100th of Head Coach DeLisha Milton-Jones’ career. The Monarchs had 11 different players find the scoring column, led by Jordan McLaughlin’s 12 points with Kaye Clark and Buford following with 10 points each.
Sunday’s meeting marks the first time that Kelsey Thompson will take the court against her former team. The Mobile native led the Jags in scoring the past two seasons and was voted Sun Belt Freshman of the Year for 2022-23.
About ODU
The Monarchs (8-4) added a home game against Virginia State on Sunday, Dec. 22 when Delaware was forced to postponed due to a lack of available players. Some uncharacteristic turnovers by ODU allowed the visiting Trojans to keep it close, but the Monarchs pulled out the win, 68-58. Mariah Clayton (15 points) and Hama’ya Fielder (nine points) both turned in season highs while Kelsey Thompson finished with 10 points and nine rebounds while Simone Cunningham chipped in eight points and nine boards.
ODU’s leading scorers continue to be En’Dya Buford (11.7 ppg), Simaru Fields (9.7 ppg), and Thompson (7.2 ppg). Fields has knocked down a team-best 20 three-pointers while Buford ranks second in the Sun Belt in free throws made (46) and free throw attempts (60) and is third in the league in free throw percentage (76.7). Buford also owns the team highs in rebounds (70), rebounds per game (5.8), assists (39), and steals (25). Clayton averages 7.2 ppg and has made eight blocks, followed by Cunningham (6.5 ppg) with six blocks.
Through games played on Dec. 27, the Monarchs rank fifth in the country in three-point percentage defense (22.3), 11th in offensive rebounds per game (16.8), 24th in field goal percentage defense (35.5), and 26th in rebounds per game (43.0). They’re also second in the Sun Belt with 58.8 points allowed per game. ODU averages 62.1 points for a +3.3-scoring margin and is shooting 35.8% from the field, 24.8% from long range, and 67.3% at the free-throw line.
The latest NET rankings have the Monarchs listed 114th.
About South Alabama
The Jaguars (4-7) competed in The Hatter Invitational, hosted by Stetson on Dec. 19-20 in DeLand, Florida. USA defeated the tournament hosts 87-79 that Thursday, but dropped a close game to Bethune-Cookman, 67-62 that Friday. Down 32-13 at the half, the Jags erupted for 23 points in the third quarter and another 26 in the fourth, but their comeback bid fell just short.
USA has two players scoring in double figures: Amyria Walker leads the team with 11.6 ppg and Rachel Leggett is next with 10.2 ppg. The Jags have multiple options from beyond the arc. Jordan Rosier (8.6 ppg) has made 19 threes, Daniela Gonzalez (8.8 ppg) is at 15, and Walker isn’t far behind Gonzalez with 12 makes from distance. On the glass, Gonzalez has pulled down 80 rebounds (7.3 rpg) and Leggett owns 66 boards (6.0 rpg). Gonzalez enters Sunday with 25 assists and 13 steals, Leggett also has 13 steals, and Gonzalez has registered 10 blocks.
South Alabama owns a -5.5-scoring margin, averaging 64.0 points while giving up 69.5. USA is fifth in the Sun Belt in free throw attempts per game (18.55), offensive rebounds per game (14.1), blocks per game (3.5). The team is shooting a combined 39.3% from the field, 29.0% from deep, and 63.2% at the line.
The Jags are currently 277th in the NET rankings.
Up Next
ODU will travel to Hattiesburg, Mississippi for a 7 p.m. EST meeting with Southern Miss. The Monarchs will then make their way to Monroe, Louisiana next Saturday to play a 3 p.m. EST game at ULM.