Brenda Fontana scored a career high 19 points as ODU Women’s Basketball (10-3, 2-1 SBC) knocked off Southern Miss 68-62 in Norfolk Saturday.
This game was a rollercoaster, bringing back some bad memories of recent football and men’s basketball games. ODU led by as many as 20 in the second quarter, but saw that lead completely evaporate in the final minute of the third quarter. The Monarchs showed toughness and battled back to win after losing a large lead.
An And-1 opportunity for the Golden Eagles in the final minute of the 3rd quarter gave them their first lead of the game, 41-40. They followed that up with a pair of made free throws on their next possession to stretch the lead to three. The Monarchs needed a spark, something to swing the momentum back in their direction.
Mimi McCollister provided the spark when she knocked down a two point jumper with 13 seconds to go. Kaye Clark then came through for the momentum swing with a steal. Clark ran the floor and laid it in just before time expired and ODU held a narrow 44-43 edge heading into the fourth quarter.
Southern Miss briefly held a 45-44 lead before a Clark bucket sparked a 7-0 Old Dominion run. Fontana capped the run with her third triple of the game. But the Golden Eagles wouldn’t go away easily, responding with a 7-0 run of their own and retaking the lead.
Jenny Nkem Womsi’s bucket with 5:03 to go put ODU ahead 53-52 and this time, the Monarchs weren’t going to give it back. A Clark three, followed by buckets from Womsi and Nnenna Orji extended the advantage.
Fontana ended Southern Miss’ final two possessions with a block and a steal while the Monarchs knocked down 8-of-12 free throws in the final minutes to secure the victory.
It was a strong shooting night for ODU as they went 44.4% (24-for-54) from the field, and 45% (9-for-20) from beyond the arc. The Monarchs were outrebounded 40-30 but held an edge in second-chance points (12-8) and fast-break points (20-13).
Clark joined Fontana in double figures with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Jordan McLaughlin chipped in 10 points along with a game high six assists and three rebounds.
ODU heads to Conway, SC on Wednesday for a 6pm matchup with Coastal Carolina. ESPN+ has the broadcast.