Old Dominion shot 60.7 percent from the field, and dominated UTEP Thursday night in a 87-68 win.
Old Dominion’s Jennie Simms led all scorers with 30-points, UTEP’s Sparkle Taylor scored 27 points, but the Miners shot 39 percent from the field and struggled offensively in stretches.
UTEP found themselves down 15-8 after 3-pointer from Simms at the 4:17 mark of the first quarter, and trailed 21-12 at the end of the opening quarter.
The Miners shot just 33.3 percent in the opening quarter, but shot 42.1 percent in the second quarter to close the gap a little.
Simms scored 12 first half points for ODU, while Destinee Young scored 13 first half points helping ODU take a 39-32 halftime lead.
ODU got off to a hot start in the second half, making five in a row at one point to extend their lead to 56-41 with 4:29 left in the third.
The Lady Monarchs kept their double digit lead intact the rest of the way, and led by as much as 19 points in the fourth quarter.
Despite the loss, UTEP benefited from FIU’s loss to Middle Tennessee and has now clinched a spot in the C-USA Tournament next week.
UTEP will play at Charlotte on Saturday.