ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands -- Senior India Lewis made difference-making points at the close of each half as the 17th-ranked Arkansas Lady Razorbacks held off a pesky Old Dominion, 54-49, in the opening round of the Paradise Jam Women's Basketball Tournament.

Arkansas, 3-0, faces Hampton, 1-1, today in a 2:15 central time tipoff in the tournament's second round at the University of the Virgin Islands.

"We knew this would be a physical game, but we felt like we were in a rugby game," Lewis said. "They were very physical."

Lewis finished with 21 points, and played all 40 minutes for the second consecutive game. But her most important points came in the final seconds of each period. Her three-pointer to end the first half sent Arkansas to the locker room ahead by five, 24-19.

With all-America candidate Shameka Christon in foul trouble and rough-and-tumble play limiting the offense, the Lady'Backs stumbled into the final minute of play with a one-point lead, 50-49.

Old Dominion's Shareese Grant scored back-to-back layups to keep the Lady Monarchs in contention, but with 14 seconds left ODU's Paula Murixi sent Lewis to the line.

The 5-6 senior almost set the school record for free throws in Arkansas' last game with 14 made. She did not disappoint head coach Gary Blair by sinking both throws. After Okiesha Howard missed a three-point attempt to tie the game, Lewis came up with the ball after the miss and was fouled with six seconds left. Lewis hit both for the final margin of victory.

Arkansas struggled with turnovers and foul trouble the entire game, especially during the first half and early portions of the second. Christon scored only two points in the first half, and shuttled in and out of the game in the second with fouls.

However, each time Christon came in she hit a crucial field goal for Arkansas. Her first of three field goals pushed Arkansas to its largest lead, 36-28, early in the second before returning the bench. Christon was back with just under five minutes left, and hit a jumper with 3:24 to play to give Arkansas a four-point lead.

ODU closed to within two points several times in the latter half of the game, but could not get over the hump thanks to Christon or Lewis' timely shots.

Grant finished with 13 for ODU and Howard 12. Monique Coker raked in 13 rebounds for the Lady Monarchs to lead all players.

Lewis was the only Lady'Back in double digits, with Christon adding eight and Katrina Nesby seven.

South Carolina 64, Oregon 40

CHARLOTTE AMALIE, U.S. Virgin Islands (AP) -- Jocelyn Penn scored 21 points as South Carolina defeated Oregon 67-40 in the Paradise Jam on Thursday night.

The Ducks (1-2) led just once, at 4-2, and the last time they were tied was 4-4. The Gamecocks (3-0) weren't challenged after that.

Oregon got within 15 points only twice in the second half, the last time at 50-35.

Andrea Bills led the Ducks with 10 points.

Petra Ujhelyi had 16 points and 13 rebounds for South Carolina, while Christina Ciocan added 13 points and Koretha Johnson had 10. Penn had nine rebounds.