Lady Monarchs-Lady Patriots: George Mason Stuns ODU, Ends 44-Game Drought
The Old Dominion Lady Monarchs held the longest-active streak of wins against a certain opponent—George Mason.
The Patriots (4-22 overall, 2-13 CAA) never beat coach Wendy Larry's ODU squad. Ever. In fact, they were 0-44 all-time against them.
Sunday should have been no different. But it was.
Jeri Porter, in her first year at the helm, defeated the Monarchs 63-57, ending a losing skid that began in the 1974-75 season.
How did they do it?
If you were not there—and 99.9999999 percent of students were not—you would never believe it. So let me tell you how we did the unthinkable.
The Patriots' defense was brutal against the Monarchs' offensive attack. ODU was limited to 34.6-percent shooting, converted only 4-for-9 long balls, and was dominated on the glass.
Mason owned the Lady Monarchs 47-35 on the boards and controlled an 18-10 advantage on the offensive glass.
The Patriots were led by the three Brits. Sophomore Brittany Eley poured in a game-high 16 points and notched her first career double-double by grabbing 11 rebounds. Sophomore Brittany Poindexter scored 15 points and did her job at the line, converting 5-for-6 free throws. Senior Brittney Wilkins scored 12 points and had nine rebounds.
Down 7-2 early, Mason went on a 22-10 run to lead 24-17. A pair of Eley free throws tied the game at 30 going into the locker room.
Mason opened up the second half with a 15-5 run and led by as many as 12 points in the half.
ODU would not go quietly, mounting a comeback that cut the lead down to just two.
Mason rebounded on the offensive glass to keep its hopes alive and hit free throws down the stretch to put the first-ever win in the books against the Monarchs.
The few that were there met the Patriots on the court and jumped around, having just won a game that all but the team thought was unattainable.
Mason will host the Hofstra Pride Thursday night at the Patriot Center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm ET.