Old Dominion 68, Georgia 54

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., March 16 (UPI) -- Lucienne Barthieu scored 20 points in the first half and Maiga Hamchetou added 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists as No. 7 Old Dominion posted a 68-54 triumph over 10th-seeded Georgia Saturday in the opening round of the women's NCAA Mideast Region.

Monique Coker added 13 points for the Lady Monarchs (26-5), who started slow.

Georgia (19-11) came out red hot, making 12 of its first 20 shots but Berthieu helped Old Dominion hang around and the Lady Monarchs were able to forge a 35-35 halftime tie.

With Georgia up 46-45, Old Dominion used an 11-4 run to seize control. The Bulldogs still were within 60-54 with just over three minutes to go but Old Dominion closed the game with eight straight points.

The Lady Monarchs advance to play the winner of Purdue-Austin Peay in the second round on Monday.

Christi Thomas led Georgia with 14 points off the bench. Kara Braxton had 12 points and four steals for the Bulldogs, who missed nine of 16 free throws, were outrebounded 35-23 and committed 25 turnovers.