WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined more by missed shots than made ones, the Old Dominion Lady Monarchs escaped Kaplan Arena with a narrow 56-53 victory over the William & Mary Tribe in a non-conference women’s basketball game on Sunday.

The contest, played before an announced crowd of 1,081, was a battle of attrition from the opening tip. Both teams combined to shoot under 30 percent from the floor, with Old Dominion converting 18 of its 67 attempts and William & Mary managing 19 makes on 59 shots. The game was ultimately decided by a single possession and a stark contrast in three-point shooting.

Old Dominion’s ability to connect from beyond the arc proved to be the critical difference. The Lady Monarchs sank 8 of 20 three-point attempts, while the Tribe endured a frigid shooting afternoon, making just 2 of 18 from long range.

The game unfolded in distinct phases. Old Dominion established an early lead, closing the first quarter ahead 9-12 and extending that advantage to a 27-21 margin by halftime. The Lady Monarchs’ defense was particularly stifling in the second quarter, holding William & Mary to just nine points.

The third quarter, however, belonged to the Tribe. William & Mary erupted for 22 points, spearheaded by a dominant inside presence that resulted in 32 points in the paint for the game. The surge allowed the Tribe to seize the lead and head into the final period with a 43-39 advantage.

The fourth quarter was a tense, back-and-forth affair. With the game tied in the final minutes, Old Dominion’s Simaru Fields delivered the decisive blow, draining a three-pointer with 1:26 remaining to put the Lady Monarchs ahead for good. William & Mary had several opportunities to tie or take the lead in the final minute but could not convert, including a missed three-point attempt at the buzzer.

Fields, a guard from Gulfport, Mississippi, led all scorers with 18 points, including three crucial three-pointers. She was complemented by En’Dya Buford, who added 17 points, with 15 of those coming from five three-pointers. Riley Stack of Piedmont, South Carolina, provided a significant presence on the boards, pulling down eight rebounds to go with six points.

For William & Mary, Jana Sallman of Cairo, Egypt, was a force in the paint. The 6-foot-3 center recorded 14 points, eight rebounds and a formidable five blocked shots. Natalie Fox of Lagrangeville, New York, contributed seven points and seven rebounds, while Monet Dance from Roswell, Georgia, chipped in eight points and four rebounds.

Despite the loss, William & Mary won several statistical categories, including assists (11-8), steals (11-8), and blocks (8-2). However, the Tribe’s 19 turnovers and inefficiency from three-point range ultimately proved too much to overcome. Old Dominion also capitalized on second chances, securing 17 offensive rebounds which led to 14 second-chance points.

With the win, Old Dominion improves its season record to 3-1. The Lady Monarchs will look to build on the victory when they travel to face East Carolina on Friday. William & Mary falls to 1-3 and will seek to rebound on the road against Howard next Sunday.