OLD DOMINION RALLIES FOR NARROW VICTORY OVER HOFSTRA

1/31/2010 8:00:00 PM

Norfolk, VA - Freshman forward Shante Evans scored 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds, but it was not enough as Old Dominion rallied to defeat Hofstra, 51-46, on Sunday afternoon at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.

Hofstra falls to 11-10 overall with the loss and 4-5 in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) action, while Old Dominion wins its seventh straight game to improve to 10-9 and 8-1 in conference play.

Senior center Jess Fuller had a pair of blocks in the game and now has 175 in her career, tying her for most in program history with Vanessa Gidden (2003-07).

Hofstra led 44-41 at the 4:52 mark following a pair of free throws from Evans, but the Lady Monarchs scored eight straight points and would lead 49-44 after a layup from Jasmine Parker with 27 ticks left on the clock. That proved to be enough for ODU to hold on and defeat the Pride.

A low scoring first half saw Hofstra jump out to a 5-0 lead, courtesy of a three-pointer from redshirt sophomore guard Candice Bellocchio at the 14:55 mark. The Lady Monarchs responded with an 8-0 run of their own to lead 8-5 just over eight minutes into the half after a three-pointer from Jackie Cook.

The first half would feature five ties and three lead changes, with a layup from senior guard Sam Brigham knotting the score at 15 with 4:55 remaining. Old Dominion then closed the half with a 6-2 run to lead 21-17 at the break.

Hofstra would open the second half by scoring 14 of the first 22 points to take a 31-29 lead, following a three-pointer from sophomore guard Nicole Capurso with 14:20 left in regulation.From that point forward the game would go back and forth, with Hofstra falling short in looking for its third straight road victory.

Bellocchio finished with seven points, six assists and five steals for Hofstra, while while Fuller added four points and three rebounds while tying the blocks record with 7:17 left in the second half.

Old Dominion got 14 points from Jasmine Parker and 12 points and seven rebounds from Tia Lewis.

Hofstra returns to action on Thursday when it travels to George Mason for a 7 p.m. contest.

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