By Dave Johnson
W&M Athletics
For the second time in four days, William & Mary faced an opponent that had a clear advantage in athleticism. And like Thursday night at Virginia, the Tribe was unable to handle it.
Forced to play faster than it wanted, W&M turned the ball over 29 times in a 68-55 loss to Old Dominion Sunday at Kaplan Arena. The Tribe was able to keep the score relatively close by making 16-of-16 shots from the free throw line, but getting good shots was a constant challenge.
"It was a struggle for us on offense the entire game," W&M coach Ed Swanson said. "They just sped us up so much in that second quarter and third quarter that we got away from what we're used to doing. They did a great job defensively.
"They recognize that part of their success is going to be their defense. So a lot of it was their speed stressing us out. But fundamentally, we've got to do a better job of ball movement. The ball can't stick in our hands as much as it was tonight."
Fittingly, it was off a turnover that ODU (6-2) took its biggest lead at 58-35 with 1:31 remaining in the third quarter. W&M closed the period with a 6-0 run and scored the first seven points of the fourth. Out of nowhere, the Monarchs' lead was 58-48 with 7:19 remaining.
The Tribe went 2-of-6 from the floor and 8-of-8 from the free throw line in the 13-0 run.
"We've always been a pretty good foul shooting team," Swanson said. "When you're trying to come back, getting points when the clock is stopped is critically important."
But with the door open to get even closer, W&M went 0-of-4 with seven turnovers on its next 11 possessions.
"I'm happy with the way my team fought in the third and fourth quarter," Swanson said. "But fundamentally, we did some things with our turnovers we can't do against a team like Old Dominion."
Playing without leading scorer Riley Casey for the third consecutive game and Chaniqwa Gilliam for the second, the Tribe was led by Sydney Wagner with 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting. Kate Sramac had 11 points along with seven rebounds, and Dani McTeer finished with 10 and eight.
W&M outrebounded the Monarchs 35-32.
"The scouting report yesterday, we said we've got to rebound, rebound, rebound," Swanson said. "And I thought we did a real good job of that. We've been doing a pretty good job of that the entire year."
Ajah Wayne was ODU's top scorer with 24 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the floor, 9-of-12 from the free throw line. Iggy Allen, playing for her fourth different team in six seasons, had 16 points and eight rebounds.
The Monarchs, who were picked second in Conference USA's preseason poll, won its fourth consecutive game.
"We played a real good team today," Swanson said. "They're coming off wins against Texas Tech and Auburn. Super athletic and quick, and they play very good defense.
"It was the same at Virginia. These last two games, as upset as we are at how we played, I think will help us in the weeks ahead."
NEXT UP: The Tribe will travel down I-64 to play at Hampton University Wednesday night. W&M defeated Hampton 58-41 at Kaplan on Nov. 29. The Pirates (2-6) are coming off a 56-54 win over Norfolk State Saturday.
