ATLANTA (Interstat) — The Old Dominion Lady Monarchs built a commanding early lead and withstood a furious fourth-quarter rally by Georgia State to secure an 88-75 victory in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Thursday night at GSU Sports Arena.

The game’s defining stretch came in the opening minutes, as Old Dominion established a dominance from which Georgia State could never fully recover. The Lady Monarchs opened the contest with a blistering 14-0 run, capitalizing on stifling defense and efficient transition offense. Riley Stack, the 6-foot-4 forward from Piedmont, South Carolina, set the tone by winning the opening tip and immediately impacting the game. She scored the first two baskets on assists from Simone Cunningham and En’Dya Buford, and swatted away an early Georgia State shot.

Old Dominion’s defensive pressure forced the Panthers into turnovers and difficult attempts, while the Lady Monarchs’ offense operated with precision. By the time Georgia State’s Gabbie Grooms connected on a stepback jumper at the 7:42 mark for the Panthers’ first points, the visitors had already opened a 12-point lead. The onslaught continued throughout the period, with Old Dominion shooting a scorching percentage from the field and from three-point range. En’Dya Buford hit a pair of three-pointers in the quarter, part of a 28-point opening frame for the Lady Monarchs that ended with them leading by 15.

The most important part of the game was unquestionably that first-quarter explosion. It provided Old Dominion a cushion that proved vital hours later. Georgia State, struggling to find any offensive rhythm, was held to just 13 points in the first and 14 in the second, trailing 48-27 at halftime. The Panthers shot a frigid percentage in the half, unable to solve Old Dominion’s defensive schemes or match their intensity.

Old Dominion maintained control through the third quarter, taking a 69-46 lead into the final period. The game appeared to be a formality. However, Georgia State mounted a dramatic and desperate comeback attempt in the fourth quarter, outscoring Old Dominion 29-19 over the final 10 minutes. Fueled by the guard tandem of Crystal Henderson and Gabbie Grooms, the Panthers applied full-court pressure and began to force Lady Monarch turnovers. Henderson, from Marietta, Georgia, was instrumental in the surge, scoring 11 of her team-high 19 points in the final period. Grooms, from Peachtree City, added key baskets as Georgia State whittled the lead down to 13 points on multiple occasions.

But the early deficit was simply too large to overcome. Every time Georgia State threatened to cut the lead to single digits, Old Dominion found a response. Key baskets from Kelsey Thompson of Mobile, Alabama, and Jaylen Ponder in the closing minutes helped stabilize the Lady Monarchs and seal the victory.

Simone Cunningham led a balanced Old Dominion attack with 16 points, adding a rebound, an assist, a block and a steal. En’Dya Buford finished with 11 points and three assists, while Riley Stack posted a stat line of 10 points, three assists and three blocks in just 14 minutes of action. Nakiyah Allen of Boyce, Louisiana, and Simaru Fields of Gulfport, Mississippi, each contributed 11 points off the bench.

For Georgia State, Crystal Henderson’s 19 points and four assists paced the Panthers. Gabbie Grooms finished with 17 points, and Cheyenne Holloman of Marietta added 13. Grace Lanier of New York also scored 13 points in the losing effort.

With the win, Old Dominion improved its season record to 16-12. Georgia State fell to 9-18. An announced crowd of 1,459 attended the game at GSU Sports Arena.

The victory completed a regular-season sweep for the Lady Monarchs, who also defeated Georgia State 73-68 in Norfolk on Jan. 3. Old Dominion will look to build on the win when they travel to face Coastal Carolina on Saturday. Georgia State will return to action at home against Marshall on Saturday.