Old Dominion’s women’s basketball team suffered a 56-52 defeat to Toledo in front of a pink-clad crowd during the Play4Kay event, also part of the MAC-Sun Belt Challenge.
This loss marks the second consecutive narrow defeat for the Monarchs, following a tough 83-80 loss to Troy last week. Their current four-game losing streak keeps them in sixth place in the Sun Belt Conference with a 14-11 overall record and a 6-6 mark in conference play. Toledo’s victory, meanwhile, pushes their conference record to 8-3 and places them third in the Mid-American Conference with an overall record of 17-5.
The game began with both teams exchanging layups, starting with Branda Fontana for ODU, followed by Khera Goss for Toledo. En’Dya Buford’s three-pointer gave the Monarchs a brief lead, but Jessica Cook responded with two quick layups to spark a run for the Rockets. Buford’s jumper to close the quarter left ODU trailing 17-10.
Toledo came out strong in the second quarter, outscoring ODU 8-3 in the first few minutes. However, back-to-back threes from Simaru Fields cut the deficit to just four points. Kelsey Thompson’s two made free throws as time expired in the half helped Old Dominion head into the locker room trailing 30-25.
The Monarchs came out with renewed energy in the second half. In under a minute, Buford’s layup and a Fields three-pointer tied the game, and Fontana gave ODU their first lead of the game with a layup while drawing a foul. She converted the free throw, and after another layup by Hannah Noveroske, the game was knotted at 38 heading into the final period.
In the fourth quarter, it saw both teams exchange baskets, with the lead swinging back and forth. Toledo’s Goss hit a crucial three-pointer with under two minutes left to give the Rockets a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Fontana answered with a three-pointer to pull ODU within two, but two free throws from Toledo in the closing moments sealed the win for the Rockets, 56-52.
Toledo led in both field goal percentage (44.9%, 22-49) and three-point percentage (40%, 6-15). However, ODU excelled in free throw shooting, converting 77.8% (7-9), and they dominated defensively, leading in steals (7) and committing only eight turnovers compared to Toledo’s 19.
For Toledo, Nan Garcia led with 13 points and three rebounds, while Goss contributed 12 points and three rebounds. Buford paced the Monarchs with 14 points and three assists. Fontana and Fields both scored 11 points and grabbed four rebounds, with Fontana adding two blocks.
The Monarchs will look to get back on track when they travel to West Virginia to face Marshall on Thursday, February 13. ODU holds a 14-8 all-time advantage over the Herd, including a hard-fought 80-75 win in their last meeting on January 11.
