With 5:43 to go in the second quarter, Old Dominion Women’s Basketball (8-0) trailed 27-14 and appeared to be headed for their first loss of the season. Despite coming in as the nation’s leader in points allowed (45.1 ppg), the Monarchs were allowing the Blue Hens to get open shots and they were knocking them down. Offensively they appeared a bit out of sync, perhaps a result of playing just their second game away from the friendly confines of Chartway Arena.
ODU needed a spark to ignite a run and get out of the first half funk. That spark came from graduate student and three year starter Kaye Clark, who buried a three and kicked-off a 14-2 Monarch run.
After Clark’s three, Jordan McLaughlin and Brenda Fontana knocked down triples of their own, putting Delaware on their heels. A layup from Lanetta Williams with 3:10 to go in the half cut the deficit to just four before En’Dya Burford sunk a three on a nice set up from Clark to pull ODU within one.
Old Dominion trailed 32-30 at half, a significantly less daunting deficit from how things looked halfway through the second quarter.
In the third quarter, the teams exchanged the lead a few times but ODU took a two point advantage into the final frame.
Williams got the Monarchs off to a hot start in the 4th quarter with two consecutive buckets, the second as a result of a Buford steal and Clark assist. Mimi McCollister followed with a two point jumper before Nnenna Orji converted a layup in the paint to give ODU a ten point edge.
Delaware made a late push, finishing the game on a 7-0 run. But it was not enough to overcome the Monarch lead.
Clark had a strong and balanced night for ODU. Finishing with nine points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals.
Buford also scored nine points for the Monarchs to go with three rebounds, three assists and a career high seven steals.
Delaware held a 41-36 edge on the glass and shot 38.3% (18-for-47) from the field. A key factor in the win for ODU was how well they took care of the ball compared to the Blue Hens. The Monarchs finished with 13 steals and just 13 turnovers while Delaware turned it over 25 times.
Old Dominion now waits and prepares for their December 17th road matchup with 8-1 VCU. The Rams are also a defensive minded team, ranking 5th nationally in points allowed per game with 50. Their only loss of the season was on the road at JMU 78-65. VCU has also defeated William & Mary and will face Delaware on December 11th.
ESPN+ is on the broadcast, so no matter where you are Sunday, tune in and support the Monarchs as they look to go 9-0.