NORFOLK, Va. – Host Old Dominion shot 61.5 percent from the floor in the second half to pull away for a 76-47 win over Norfolk State on Sunday afternoon at Chartway Arena.
Ajah Wayne scored 16 points and Iggy Allen had 15 points and 15 rebounds for the Monarchs (8-2), who won their sixth straight. NSU (3-6) was led by 15 points from
Mahoganie Williams.
Two teams with defensive reputations lived up to that billing, especially early. Neither team scored a point until NSU's
Danaijah Williams scored on a putback at the 5:04 mark of the first quarter. Each team made just two field goals in the opening quarter, with the Monarchs hitting a trio of free throws to carry a 7-4 edge into the second quarter. The teams combined to shoot just 4-of-30 with 17 turnovers in the first stanza.
ODU gained some separation from the Spartans by getting to the free throw line and hitting from long range in the second quarter. ODU shot 11 free throws (making six) compared to NSU's four in the period. Taleah Washington sank a pair of 3-pointers and both Kaye Clark and Aziah Hudson hit one to help ODU stretch its lead to 31-15 at the half.
Wayne and Amari Young both scored seven points in the third quarter as ODU gradually widened its lead. The Monarchs hit 8-of-13 from the floor in both the third and fourth quarter to pull away from the Spartans.
NSU forced 31 turnovers from Old Dominion with 18 coming via steals – both season highs for the Spartan defense.
Camille Downs registered six thefts,
Armani Franklin had five and
Niya Fields recorded three.
After being limited due to foul trouble in the first half,
Mahoganie Williams scored 13 of her 15 points after halftime. Downs added 10 points and both
Danaijah Williams and
Crystal White scored five. NSU, however, shot 32 percent from the floor and committed 30 turnovers.
Washington added 12 points and Young 10 for ODU.
The Spartans play their final home game of the calendar year on Thursday, as they host UNC Wilmington at 6 p.m. at Echols Hall.
