Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Old Dominion University bids a fond farewell to super-rebounder Tia Lewis

Tonight Old Dominion hosts Towson in their final regular-season home game, during which they will honor senior Tia Lewis.

The 6-foot-3 center/forward leaves the program as the seventh player of all time to record 1,000 rebounds - only 21 away from being fifth in school history. She is eleventh on the all-time scoring list, with 1,586 points. Lewis recorded a career-high 30 points in the Jan. 4 Georgia State game, and she has had 11 double-doubles this year. She leads the team in scoring this season with 16.6 points per game, and her rebound average is 9.1.

"She has continued to lead an unbelievable legacy here at Old Dominion University," first-year Coach Karen Barefoot said. "I'm just so proud of what she's accomplished this year so far. I think she's really lead our team by the way she competes hard every game."

"She's done it on both ends of the floor, and she's had to help rebuild this program, and she's just done a tremendous job. She'll be missed, but she'll never be forgotten because she's done some amazing things here at Old Dominion."

Lady Monarchs fan Tawanna Washington was impressed with Lewis' game, because she said she does it all.

"She handles the ball well, she's a rebounding machine, and she gets on the floor for every loose ball," Washington said. "She plays almost 40 minutes a game because her team needs her. And she has a nice 10-15-foot jumper."

Tonight's game begins at 7 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Lewis video highlights.

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