NORFOLK, VA.(November 11) -- Senior center Skipper Youngblood (Gastonia, NC) scored 23points with nine rebounds, and junior guard Michael Williams (Thomasville,Ga.)added 22 points to help lead the Monarchs to a 80-79 exhibition winover Court Authority Thursday night.
Down by as many as seven in the second half, the Monarchs rallied and tooktheir first lead, 50-49 (13:40)left on a layup by Freddie Bryant (Watson, La.). With thegame tied at 68 with 4:35 left, Pierre Green hit a jumperto put the Monarchs up for good at 70-68 with 3:34 left.
Junior forward Clifton Jones (Pleasantville, NJ.) hitfour free throws and Pierre Greene (Chicago, ILL.)added twomore in the final 55 seconds to ice the win. Greene finished with 12 points andthree steals. Freshman RasheedWright (Greensboro, NC.) came up with a game high four steals, while Joneshauled in eight rebounds with two assists, two blocks and two steals.
Court Authority was led by Phil Stinnie with 29 points and nine rebounds. TheMonarchs hit .531 of their shotsfrom the field and forced Court Authority into 22 turnovers.Old Dominion committed only two turnovers in the second half.
The Monarchs open the regular season on Saturday,Nov.20 against UT Chattanooga in a 2 p.m. contest in theODU fieldhouse.