Jennie Simms moved to second all-time in Lady Monarchs history for most points in a single game by scoring 45 points in Old Dominion University’s (12-7, 5-3) victory over FIU (3-15, 0-7) by a score of 80-67 on Thursday night at FIU Arena. Simms’ scoring output ties for first with Washington’s Kelsey Plumm in the entire NCAA for this season.
Simms scored 45 points on 15 of 27 shooting from the floor, connecting on 4 of 8 from three and topping it all off by knocking down 11 of 12 free throws tonight. Only ODU’s Anne Donovan has scored more points in a Lady Monarchs uniform, when she netted 50 at Norfolk State in 1980. Nissen was also second on the all-time list before tonight, as she dropped 42 versus Radford in 1979.
On Thursday night, it was FIU who jumped out to an early 17-7 lead with 12:43 remaining in the opening half. The Lady Monarchs then used a 15-0 run over a 3:13 span to take a 22-20 advantage with 7:48 left in the first half. Another big ODU run (13-0 over the final 3:43) put the Lady Monarchs ahead of the Panthers at the half, 38-25.
Simms led all scorers at halftime with 21 points to go along with eight rebounds. Tiffany Minor and LaQuanda Younger (four assists) each scored six first half points, respectively. FIU’s Destini Feagin led the Panthers in the first 20 minutes of action with seven points and five rebounds.
For the first half, ODU connected on 14-35 (40%) from the floor, 7-17 (50%) from deep and 3-3 (100%) from the FT line. FIU hit 9-36 (25%) from the floor in the first half, 4-13 (30.8%) from three and 3-4 (75%) from the free-throw line.
Old Dominion led 45-34 with 11:27 to play, before FIU cut its deficit down to just one point (51-50) with 7:52 to play. A Tiffany Minor layup at the 3:56 mark, put ODU up 66-59. The Lady Monarchs sealed the deal at the charity stripe to go onto an 80-57 win.
Simms not only finished with 45 points, but complimented that with 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Ashley Betz-White finished the ballgame with 12 points and three steals. Tiffany Minor ended with eight points and six rebounds in the winning effort.
FIU’s Taylor Shade led the way for the Panthers with 22 points. Also in double-figures for Florida International were: Kiandre’a Pound (18 points and seven rebounds), Destini Feagin (10 points and nine rebounds) and Marita Davydova (10 points and eight rebounds).
For the ballgame, Old Dominion shot 43.1% (25-58) from the floor, 42.1% (8-19) from downtown and 84.6% (22-26) from the charity stripe. FIU shot 33.8% (23-68) from the floor, 36.8% (7-19) from three and 77.8% (14-18) from the free-throw line.
NEXT UP FOR THE LADY MONARCHS
Thursday’s match-up was the first game of three consecutive road contests for the Lady Monarchs, as they face FAU (Sat., Jan. 31) and then Charlotte (Sat., Feb. 7). Saturday’s tipoff against the Owls in Boca Raton is slated for 5:00 p.m. EST. The contest will air live on STAR 1310 AM (Hampton Roads), with the pregame showing beginning at 4:30 p.m. EST.
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