WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by missed shots and tenacious rebounding, the Old Dominion Lady Monarchs edged the William & Mary Tribe 56-53 in a women’s NCAA Division I basketball game Sunday at Kaplan Arena.

The contest, played before a crowd of 1,081, was a battle of attrition, with both teams posting nearly identical and inefficient offensive ratings. Old Dominion scored 56 points from 79 possessions for a rating of 70.8, while William & Mary managed 53 points from 76 possessions for a rating of 70.2.

Old Dominion improved to 3-1 on the young season, while William & Mary fell to 1-3.

The game was ultimately decided by perimeter shooting. Old Dominion found just enough success from beyond the arc, shooting 8 for 20, while William & Mary’s offense was crippled by a 2-for-18 performance from three-point range. Both teams struggled from the field overall, with the Lady Monarchs shooting 26.9% on 18-of-67 shooting and the Tribe connecting on 32.2% of their attempts, going 19 for 59.

Simaru Fields led all scorers for Old Dominion, pouring in 18 points in 34 minutes of action. En’Dya Buford was also pivotal for the Lady Monarchs, adding 17 points and six rebounds. Their scoring provided a crucial counterpoint to a dominant interior performance from William & Mary, which outscored Old Dominion 32-14 in the paint.

The Tribe’s effort was anchored by Jana Sallman. The 6-foot-3 center from Cairo, Egypt, stuffed the stat sheet with 14 points, eight rebounds and five blocks in just 22 minutes, controlling the defensive paint. Natalie Fox, a 6-foot-4 forward from Lagrangeville, New York, contributed seven points, seven rebounds and two blocks.

William & Mary held a significant advantage in blocks, swatting away eight Lady Monarch shots compared to just two for Old Dominion. However, the Tribe’s 19 turnovers, which led to 14 Old Dominion points, and their inability to convert from deep ultimately proved costly.

The game featured several momentum swings. Old Dominion built a 27-21 lead by halftime, but William & Mary exploded for 22 points in the third quarter to take a 43-39 lead into the final period. The Lady Monarchs reclaimed control in the fourth, outscoring the Tribe 17-10 down the stretch to secure the narrow victory.

Old Dominion’s ability to generate second chances was also a factor, as they corralled 17 offensive rebounds leading to 14 second-chance points. Riley Stack was instrumental on the glass for the Lady Monarchs, pulling down eight rebounds to go with six points.

For William & Mary, Monet Dance of Roswell, Georgia, played a team-high 33 minutes, scoring eight points and dishing out three assists. Alexa Mikeska of Carlsbad, California, added six points and six rebounds.

The Lady Monarchs’ next game is on the road against East Carolina on Friday. William & Mary travels to face Howard next Sunday.