Written By: Connie Farmer
Staff Writer
Tia Lewis is now the sixteenth leading scorer in Lady Monarchs’ history after the game against the UNCW Seahawks on Sunday, Jan. 22. Unfortunately, this is the only piece of good news the Lady Monarchs can take away from the game.
ODU was able to keep the game close throughout the first half with a halftime score of 29-24, but UNCW came out hot in the second half increasing their lead from five to 22 with a final score of 76-54. This was a big win for the Seahawks, having not beaten the Lady Monarchs in 42 games.
The Lady Monarchs and Seahawks came into this game with a 3-3 record in the CAA. It was an important game for both teams, but according to Tia Lewis, “It was their game. They wanted it more.”
The momentum UNCW had throughout the second half was difficult for ODU to keep up with. “They were scrappy, they were being relentless,” ODU head coach Karen Barefoot said.
ODU got off to a good start. They won the first tip off and Jackie Cook was the first to score with a three-pointer. ODU held onto the lead until UNCW took it for the first time with ten and a half minutes left in the first half. After taking the lead, UNCW increased it with a 14-5 run.
With 4:36 left in the first half, the score was 26-19. ODU tried to cut down on the lead, but could only get within five by halftime. The crowd was still feeling optimistic.
UNCW seemed to shut a lot of the optimism down quickly in the second half. Three of the Seahawks scored in the double digits, including Abria Trice, Alisha Andrews and Jessica Freeman. Andrews and Freeman scored double digits in the second half alone. Trice scored a career-high 20 points.
The Seahawks made 6-9 three pointers in the second half, and 9-20 overall. They did not make many mistakes, with 21 assists and only 16 turnovers.
Freeman surprised ODU when she scored 16 points in the second half after not scoring in the first. “She hit three big threes that pushed them ahead,” coach Barefoot said.
The high percentage of three-pointers made it difficult for ODU to close the gap in the second half. “They had rhythm. They got some threes on us and we got off balance,” coach Barefoot said. “We’d go ahead and then they’d come back and hit a three.”
UNCW had 44 rebounds while ODU had only 28. “They were going after more loose balls than us,” Tia Lewis said. “I just feel like they wanted it more.”
When looking back at their game against UNCW, coach Barefoot said, “It’s growing pains with being the youngest team in the CAA against an experienced team.”
UNCW head coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke was pleased with the maturity that her team showed in the game against ODU. “Today was the first time I felt that my team has really matured,” coach Cooper-Dyke. “This win was huge for us, for our program, and for our university. The girls realize how big a win over ODU is.”
Old Dominion is now 6-13 overall, 3-4 in the conference. “I want them to play tough. We are committed to doing whatever it takes, but at some point, they’ve got to give their heart and soul to this program,” coach Barefoot said.
Lady Monarchs take on William and Mary on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. in Williamsburg, Virginia.
