THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 30, 1994 TAG: 9412300621
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: CORAL GABLES, FLA. LENGTH: Short : 38 lines
Old Dominion led by seven points with 32 seconds remaining. That proved to be enough. Barely.
The Lady Monarchs escaped with an 80-79 victory over Grambling in the championship game of the Church's Classic on Thursday night when Sha Hobson, the Lady Tigers' leading scorer, missed a 5-footer from the right side with a second remaining.
Sara Willyerd gave Old Dominion an 80-73 advantage when she hit both ends of a one-and-one with 32 seconds remaining.
Janetta Graham cut the lead to four with a 3-pointer at the 27-second mark.
On the Lady Monarchs' next possession, Shonda Deberry was called for charging, giving the ball back to the Lady Tigers, and Hopson cut the lead to one with a 3-pointer with 15.1 seconds to go.
Deberry missed the front end of a one-and-one, giving Grambling their last chance. Hopson's shot hit the rim.
Deberry led the Lady Monarchs with 23 points, 18 in the second half, and Clarisse Machanguana recorded her sixth double-double of the year with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Willyerd had 12 points and point guard Ticha Penicheiro recorded nine assists and four steals.
Hopson led Grambling with 21 points. Graham added 16, Sonya Tennessee 15 and Nakesha Tucker 13.
Penicheiro was named tournament MVP, and Willyerd and Machanguana were chosen to the all-tournament team.
Auburn defeated host Miami, 73-43, in the consolation game.
The Lady Monarchs will spend the New Year's weekend in Florida and will return to action Monday against South Florida in Tampa. by CNB