THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 17, 1996 TAG: 9603170236
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
If Holy Cross was to have a prayer of beating sixth-ranked Old Dominion, a few things had to go right Saturday night for the Crusaders at the ODU field house. They had to counter Old Dominion's relentless defense with their quickness and keep the Lady Monarchs' fab five at bay before a packed house.
But 15th-seeded Holy Cross (23-10) went 0 for 2 in falling to the second-seeded Lady Monarchs 83-56 in the first round of the NCAA tournament's East Regional. ODU (28-2) hosts Toledo (25-5), an upset winner over Ole Miss, at 8 p.m. Monday to decide who will advance to the Sweet 16 in Charlottesville.
``To win a game like that, everything has to go your way,'' Holy Cross coach Bill Gibbons said. ``We really had to play a near-perfect game.''
But instead it was the Lady Monarchs who were close to perfection in a contest that resembled their 19-0 season against the Colonial Athletic Association. Shonda Deberry's 18 points led five ODU players in double figures, and the Lady Monarchs dominated the boards 51-31.
Key for ODU, said coach Wendy Larry, was containing Lauren Maney and Kim Lynch, who at 5-foot-4 and 5-2, respectively, are among the smallest backcourt tandems in Division I. While they were able to make up for their size in their own Patriot League with speed, that didn't work against taller and faster Old Dominion.
Maney finished 3 of 13 from the field with eight points, and Lynch 1 of 7, also with eight points.
``Collectively we had six or seven individuals that had Ms. Maney and Ms. Lynch in their sights at all times,'' Larry said. ``Overall, defensively, I was pleased with our transition effort against such quickness.''
Maney said that despite a week of good practices, Holy Cross really had no way to be ready for the Lady Monarchs' defense, which left Crusaders guard Alison Dietz in need of stitches after an elbow to the mouth.
``I don't think you can prepare for something like that,'' she said. ``We never expected them to be so physical. We needed to stay poised and read their D - and I don't think we did that.''
After Nyree Roberts' layup at the 15:05 mark put ODU up 8-6, the Lady Monarchs never trailed. In CAA fashion, they embarked on an 18-2 run over a six-minute span, ended by Maney's first points - a 3-pointer. And, as they have all year, the Lady Monarchs answered with a trey of their own, from Deberry, followed by another by Amber Eller. ODU went into the break up a comfortable 43-24.
Seniors Deberry and Benjamin played as if they were on a crusade of their own. In addition to Deberry's 18 points, she pulled down eight rebounds and had four steals and three assists. Benjamin went 6 of 11 from the field for 12 points, with three blocks and three steals.
``We know that if we don't win, it's all over, our college careers,'' Deberry said. ``It means everything to us.''
The second half was a replay of the first. Mery Andrade opened with a 3 and Holy Cross started with an air ball and a turnover. Holy Cross got no closer than 19 in losing for the second consecutive year in the NCAA's first round. Last year, the Crusaders were beaten by a Colorado team that Gibbons compared to ODU.
``They were very physical, too,'' he said. ``The difference is on the perimeter especially - ODU is very physical. Last year at Colorado, they were very physical on the inside.''
The Crusaders managed only 4 of 11 from behind the arc and hit only 1 of 7 in the second half. Holy Cross was also hurt by 21 turnovers.
ODU's win, its 18th consecutive, played before the first full house at the field house this year.
``To play at home is a great feeling,'' Larry said. ``And to have this field house rocking with energy is something these young ladies deserve.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
HUY NGUYEN/The Virginian-Pilot
ODU's Ticha Penicheiro goes fora reverse layup against Holy Cross'
Karen Juda. Five ODU players scored in double figures Saturday
night.
Photo
HUY NGUYEN/The Virginian-Pilot
Holy Cross guard Kim Lynch falls to the floor under pressure from
Shonda Deberry of Old Dominion. Deberry led the Lady Monarchs with
18 points.
by CNB