Georgia Southern women's basketball closed out the 2024-25 regular season with an 86-79 win over visiting Old Dominion on Friday evening at the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center.
The Eagles (14-17, 6-12 SBC) notched their first win over the Monarchs (17-14, 9-9 SBC) in six tries, and also avenged a last-second 68-66 loss to the Monarchs that came just six days ago in Norfolk.
The Eagles jumped out to a four-point lead after the first quarter, 16-12, but ODU rallied to tie the game up at 34-all at halftime - despite Georgia Southern hitting 8-of-10 shots from the floor in the second quarter.
Old Dominion put up 25 points in the third, thanks to going 10-of-12 from the free throw line, to lead by four, 59-55, going into the final frame. But Georgia Southern put together an 18-4 run over the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter to build a 73-65 lead and go on to the victory.
Four Eagles reached double figures, led by Nakiyah Mays-Prince's season-high 20 points. Nicole Gwynnadded 15 points, while Indya Green and Shanti Simmons each added 13 points. Old Dominion was led by En'Dya Buford's game-high 24 points.
Eagle of the Game
Mays-Prince hit 7-of-8 shots from the floor, including one three-pointer, and also went 5-of-6 from the line en route to her season high point total. She added three assists and a pair of steals and had a team-best +12 plus-minus for the game.
Stat of the Game
Georgia Southern enjoyed a 25-10 edge in points off of turnovers, forcing 21 turnovers from the Monarchs.
Quotables
Head coach Hana Haden on the big senior night win on Friday
"I'm just so proud of our group. The progress that we've made, and the way we showed up tonight for the last home game and senior night. Fought together and fought for each other. I thought tonight we were on a mission and wouldn't be denied. We executed the game plan in pretty much every way."
Nakiyah Mays-Prince on scoring her season-high in points against the Monarchs
"I knew I had to come into tonight's game being more aggressive, people don't expect it from me. I came in with the mindset tonight that I was going to take what they were giving me. It was senior night and there was a lot of great energy tonight."
Next Up
Pending the release of the official bracket from the league later tonight, Georgia Southern will be the No. 12 seed in the upcoming 2024-25 Sun Belt Conference Tournament next week in Pensacola and will open up action on Tuesday, March 4, taking on No. 13 seed Southern Miss at 12:30 p.m. ET from the Pensacola Bay Center.