The William & Mary women’s basketball team used a strong second half and a balanced scoring attack as it picked up its seventh straight victory with a 75-58 triumph over Hampton Roads rival Old Dominion on Sunday afternoon at Kaplan Arena. With the win, the Tribe improves to 9-1 for the second straight season, while the Monarchs fall to 1-9.
After Old Dominion cut the lead to one to open the third quarter, W&M exploded on a 12-0 run to extend its lead to double-figures for the first time in the contest. Senior Abby Rendle and freshman Nyla Pollard started the rally with back-to-back lay-ups, before Rendle knocked down a jumper. After four straight free throws from junior Bianca Boggs, Rendle put home another lay-up to push the Tribe to a 47-34 lead with 5:58 to go in the third quarter.
The Tribe built its lead to 14 by the end of the third stanza, but a 7-0 run late in the fourth quarter helped wrap the game up. Once again, Pollard and Rendle combined on lay-ups, before Gaumont scored three straight points to give W&M its largest lead of the contest at 73-52 with 2:00 left.
Leading by a point after a quarter, the Monarchs used a 6-2 run to establish its largest lead of the game early the second period. Odegua Oigboki started the second quarter scoring, but Rendle matched her lay-up. Ashley Jackson then scored four quick points to give the Monarchs a 28-23 advantage with 8:00 to go in the half.
W&M starters – #2 Boggs, #11 Pollard, #12 Green, #24 Rendle, #30 Reynolds
Old Dominion starters – #2 Timmons, #5 Morris, #11 Edwards #24 Brew, #34 Oigbokie
Individual leaders
Senior Abby Rendle led a once again balanced attack for William & Mary scoring a game-high 19 points on 9-10 from the floor. The Reston, Va. native added seven rebounds, nine blocks, one steal, and an assist to lead four Tribe players in double-figures.
Sophomore Victoria Reynolds added 15 points, five rebounds, and two assists, while junior Bianca Boggs just missed a double-double with 13 points, nine rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Freshman Nyla Pollard rounded out the Tribe’s double-figure scorers with 13 points, one rebound, five assists, and a steal.
Ashley Jackson led three Monarchs in double-figures with 16 points and six rebounds off of the bench. MaKayla Timmons chipped in 12 points, while Odegua Oigbokie recorded a double-double 10 points, 11 rebounds and four helpers.
Inside the numbers
– William & Mary finished the game shooting 47.4-percent (27-of-57) from the floor, which included a 61.5-percent mark (8-of-13) in the third quarter. The Tribe has shot, at least, 45-percent in six of its 10 games, including accomplishing the feat in its last three contests, and four of the last five games.
– The Tribe attempted 24 free throws, compared to just eight trips for the Monarchs. W&M shot 19-of-24 for 79.2-percent.
– ODU did win the rebounding battle, 39-35. However, the Green and Gold is now 6-0 when losing the battle of the glass.
– The Tribe handed out 22 assists on 27 made baskets, and only had eight turnovers, which was a season-low.
Notes
Senior Abby Rendle led all scorers and had her 44th career double-figure game … The senior also recorded nine blocks, which is tied for fourth in school-history, but second in terms of number … Rendle now is the CAA leader in blocks with 275, surpassing the total of WNBA All-Star Elena Delle Donne, who had 273 career rejections … Sophomore Victoria Reynolds added 15 points, for her 10th career double-digit game, six of those have come this season … Junior Bianca Boggs just missed a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds … It was her eighth double-digit game of the season and 25th of her career … Freshman Nyla Pollard was in double-figures for the second-straight game and third time this season … The win, improves the Tribe to 9-1 for the second straight season, which is tied for the best 10-game start in Division I school history … The nine regular season non-conference wins are also tied for second most in school history joining the 2015-16 team … W&M is now 28-4 in its last 32 non-conference games.
What’s ahead
W&M closes non-conference play with its final home game of 2017-calendar year when it plays host to Norfolk State on Thursday, Dec. 21. The game will have a handful of promotions, including Basketball Bingo, Retirement Community Day, Throwback Thursday, and Ugly Sweater Day. The first 100 fans will receive a FREE Tribe Ugly Sweater t-shirt. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m.
