THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, January 26, 1996 TAG: 9601260661
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY VICKI L. FRIEDMAN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
Ask Old Dominion's Ticha Penicheiro and Sarah Willyerd what they remember about playing at James Madison last year, and they won't tell you about their career-high scoring days.
``We lost,'' said Penicheiro, using the rare ``L'' word about ODU and a Colonial Athletic Association opponent. ``I was pretty mad after the game. It broke our winning streak.''
After 49 straight CAA wins, the Lady Monarchs got themselves in a 10-point halftime hole in Harrisonburg last year and the Dukes shot an incredible 80 percent in the second half to surprise ODU, 87-80.
``I remember we didn't play all that well,'' Willyerd said, disregarding her 25 points. ``We were just a step slow. They had an extremely good night. We didn't put enough pressure on the basketball.''
This time, 11th-ranked ODU (13-2, 5-0) is planning a different ending to tonight's 7:30 contest at JMU Convocation Center. These Lady Monarchs have won their five league games by an average score of 87-42. Sunday against UNC-Wilmington, ODU won by 81.
``What went wrong last year, I think, was that our defense didn't match up with their lineup,'' said Penicheiro, who scored 16. ``I think they were real focused to play against us, but now it's our turn.''
The Dukes (11-4, 4-1), returning three of their top four scorers, are led by senior Krissy Heinbaugh (16.1 points per game), Holly Rilinger (16 ppg) and Sarah Schreib (15.5 ppg, 9.6 rpg). They are coming off a 75-56 win at George Mason, which had been the CAA's other undefeated team besides ODU.
ODU remembers Schreib, the 5-foot-11 junior and the 1994 CAA Rookie of the Year, whose 23 second-half points offset an ODU comeback. Schreib's broken hand prevented her from playing in the CAA tournament championship game, which ODU won at the field house 63-44.
``Clarisse (Machanguana) was matching up with Sarah Schreib, and she's 5-11,'' Penicheiro said. ``Sometimes people say short people really have a disadvantage against tall people, but in that case it was the opposite. Sarah Schreib was coming in and posting Clarisse up, and all the sudden she would come outside and shoot a 3.''
This year's added depth gives ODU several more lineups to consider, as 6-1 Mery Andrade will likely match up against Schreib. And even though ODU won its two other meetings with the Dukes last year, that loss in Harrisonburg increases their incentive tonight.
``I don't know if it's revenge,'' Willyerd said. ``But we have something to prove on their court.'' by CNB