ATHENS, Ohio (Interstat) — En’Dya Buford scored 26 points and Old Dominion used a strong start and a resilient finish to hold off Ohio 84-76 in a nonconference women’s basketball game Saturday at the Convocation Center.

The Lady Monarchs (15-10) never trailed, opening the game on a 12-2 run and leading by as many as 13 points in the first half. The Bobcats (13-9) chipped away, using a 23-8 advantage in points off turnovers to stay close, but could never draw even.

The most critical sequence came late in the fourth quarter with Old Dominion clinging to a 78-76 lead. After a turnover by the Lady Monarchs, Ohio’s Bailey Tabeling committed a traveling violation with 39 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession, Ohio’s Bella Ranallo fouled Buford, sending her to the line where she sank both free throws to push the lead to four with 13 seconds left. Monica Williams missed a driving layup for Ohio on the next trip, and Buford secured the defensive rebound before being fouled again. She made two more free throws with seven seconds left to seal the victory.

Buford, the game’s leading scorer, added eight rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 33 minutes. Her performance marked a significant offensive rebound after scoring just five points in Old Dominion’s previous game. Simaru Fields added eight points and seven rebounds for the Lady Monarchs, while Simone Cunningham and Riley Stack each contributed nine points. Stack also had three blocks.

Ohio was led by Ranallo’s 15 points off the bench. Aliah McWhorter scored 12 points, and Bailey Tabeling finished with 11 points, five rebounds, four assists and two blocks. Monica Williams added nine points.

Old Dominion built its early lead with efficient offense, shooting 50% in the first quarter and making three 3-pointers to take a 24-19 lead. The Lady Monarchs maintained a 44-40 advantage at halftime despite Ohio shooting 47% from the field in the second quarter.

The Bobcats stayed within striking distance throughout the second half, capitalizing on 19 Old Dominion turnovers. A layup by Danni Scully with 6:35 remaining in the fourth quarter cut the deficit to 70-69, but the Lady Monarchs answered with a 3-pointer from Kelsey Thompson on their next possession and never allowed Ohio to tie the game.

Old Dominion’s success came despite being outscored 32-28 in the paint. The Lady Monarchs offset that by shooting 42% from 3-point range and 86% from the free-throw line. Ohio shot 50% from beyond the arc but struggled at the line, making just 17 of 28 attempts.

Defensively, Old Dominion recorded eight blocks and 10 steals, matching Ohio’s steal total. The teams were even in assists with 10 apiece and in offensive rebounds with nine each.

The game was played in front of 738 fans. According to Interstat’s ELO system, Ohio entered with a slight 51.4% probability to win.

Old Dominion returns to Sun Belt Conference play Wednesday at home against Coastal Carolina. Ohio resumes its Mid-American Conference schedule Tuesday on the road at Toledo.