Lady Monarch basketball powerful in the post

By Jason Kidd The Mace & Crown

September 10, 2007

Norfolk, VA (CSTV U-WIRE) -- The ODU women's basketball team exemplified the potential to do big things this season in Sunday's Blue-White exhibition at the Constant Center.

With a front line consisting of height and depth, the Lady Monarchs kept their post players busy in their first live action of the season.

The Lady Monarchs were led in the paint by red shirt sophomore Tiffany Green's game-high 16 points and nine rebounds.

Although the 6-2 Green was seriously effective on the low block with her ability to score within 10 feet of the basket, her game is just coming together after missing last season with a broken foot.

Green talked about her performance saying, "My timing is gradually getting better. Everything will fall into place once we move into the season."

The Lady Monarchs also got impressive outings from 6-4 junior Tamara Ransburg, a transfer from Kansas, 6-4 junior Megan Pym and 6-1 freshman Jessica Canady in the post. Ransburg finished with 11 points and six rebounds, while Pym and Canady added eight and nine points, respectively.

After finishing her high school career as Jamestown High School's leading scorer and rebounder, Canady contributed immediately coming off of the bench.

Her first two points came off of a rebound and put back on her first trip down the court. It did not take her long to feel comfortable within the Lady Monarchs' system.

Candady discussed the transition saying, "When I first got here I was a little nervous. I got very comfortable gradually, and it's gotten easier day-by-day. And now I love this team. They're my family."

The Lady Monarchs' post presence opened up shots for the perimeter players.

As point guard Jazzmin Walters, who finished the game with a team-high of five assists and four steals, would feed the ball into the post, the defense would collapse on Ransburg, Green or Canady, who would then find a wide open Tish Lyons and TJ Jordan on the wing.

Lyons and Jordan made the defense pay by draining wide-open shots from the perimeter, and finished with 14 and 15 points.

Lady Monarchs head coach Wendy Larry commented on the team's performance, "Effort was there. Transitionally we had great things happen, but we need to finish a little bit better. Execution needs to get better. In order to win some games, you got to put the ball in the hole."

When asked about the benefit of the Lady Monarchs' having tall women, Larry responded, "On any given day all four [Green, Canady, Ransburg and senior Sherida Triggs] may be in the starting line-up."

Larry continued saying, "When you have great presence in the paint, it's going to open up a lot of shots. Our perimeter players are going to have heydays. All four are great passers."

The Lady Monarchs open their season on the road in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia on Sunday, Nov.12.