In overtime, the Monarchs slide past the VCU Rams for their fourth straight victory.

The Lady Monarchs face off against the VCU Rams. Photo credit: Cam Easton

In a close matchup at the Chartway Arena on Thursday, Nov. 21st. The Lady Monarchs beat the Lady Rams by two points in overtime. The final score was 53-51. ODU (4-1) and VCU (2-2) are well-known rivals. Last year, the Monarchs visited the Siegel Center and did not win. This year was different, Simone Cunningham cashed in a clutch second-chance bucket with 10 seconds remaining on the clock.

In the post-game interview, Delisha-Milton Jones commends Simone Cunningham for her off and on-the-court work ethic. Delisha said, "She's done a tremendous job for Old Dominion Basketball on and off the court. She's a tremendous advocate for mental health awareness, and she's had personal struggles that she's not shy about telling her story."

Simone Cunningham (third Lady Monarch in the picture above), and her stylish hair, models her game after the great Dennis Rodman. She shot above 50 percent from the field, going six for eight. She made one out of three free throws and a total of six rebounds and 13 points. In the first quarter, the Monarchs outscored the Rams by six points. In the second and third quarters, the Rams won in points scored. In the fourth quarter, the Monarchs held off the Rams by one point, then beat the Rams by two points in overtime.

Simaru Fields, Kelsey Thompson, and Simone Cunningham scored double digits. Simaru Fields scored 11 points, and Kelsey Thompson scored 12 points. On the boards, the Monarchs were beaten by seven rebounds. Mykel Parham, a transfer from Creighton, managed to grab 13 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. The Monarchs find it difficult to keep other teams off the boards and boxing out. In the defensive game between the Monarchs and the Rams, Mykel Parham scored zero points. Mary-Ann Asare led the Rams in scoring with 17 points. Both teams had trouble controlling the ball at times.

The teams combined had 32 turnovers. Early in the game, Brenda Fontana found herself in foul trouble. This early foul trouble for Brenda put the Monarchs in a position to switch up the game plan. It wasn't until late in the game that the Monarchs and Rams made it to the free-throw line. En'Dya Buford made four-out-of-four free throws, had four assists, and scored nine points.

Mary-Ann Asare also shot 100 percent from the free-throw line. ODU's bench didn't score as much as in previous games. Simone Cunningham, who wasn't a starter against VCU, led the bench in scoring. The Lady Monarchs face off against William and Mary on Tuesday, Nov. 26th at Chartway Arena. Then, during the Thanksgiving break, ODU will take their talents to Daytona Beach to compete against the Ohio State Buckeyes and Oakland on Saturday, Nov. 30th at the Daytona Beach Classic.