The women's basketball team traveled to Virginia this weekend to play the basketball powerhouse of Old Dominion University. Although the Big Green played a strong second half, they were unable to clinch the win, losing 69-47.
The loss moves Dartmouth's record to 5-8 overall (2-1 in the Ivy League). Old Dominion, now 15-2, will soon play Tennessee -- currently ranked second in the nation.
"We knew before the game that Old Dominion is an exceptional basketball team," said Coach Chris Wielgus. "They have beaten other nationally-ranked teams like Texas and Rutgers, and play a great inside game. Their point guard is also very talented."
Dartmouth had the lead at one point in the first half, but many players got in foul trouble early in the game. With the frequent substitutions, it took Dartmouth awhile to settle down.
At halftime Dartmouth trailed, 30-14. The team shot only 6-21 from the floor and 2-7 from the foul line.
"In the first half our shots weren't falling," said leading scorer Jen Stamp '96, who finished the game with 12 points. "We had way too many turnovers, and nothing was really going our way."
"ODU had a tough inside game and also played good perimeter defense," said Sally Annis '97. Annis had 11 points and six rebounds.
Dartmouth came back in the second half, and Old Dominion applied full-court pressure on Big Green point guard and co-Captain Betsy Gilmore '94. Gilmore contributed five assists and had five steals.
"In the second half, we finally got some offense going, and competed with a very fine Old Dominion team," Stamp said.
But the Big Green's shots still weren't falling, as they hit 10-34 for only 29 percent in the second half.
Three-point shooting was another problem, as the Big Green failed to drain a trey on nine attempts.
With five minutes left to go, Dartmouth trailed by 13, but this was the closest they would come. Although Dartmouth scored 33 of its 47 points in the second half, it was not enough to win.
Last week's Ivy League Player of the Week Ilsa Webeck '95 had a stunning night on the boards, ripping down 10 rebounds. Co-Captain Brandi Jones '95 had eight.
"Player for player we were able to hang with them, there were just some gaps that we couldn't fill," Wielgus said. "Overall I think we played well, considering Old Dominion is such a strong team."
The Big Green continues to play strong teams this Wednesday night, when they travel to University of Massachusetts.
