SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (Nov. 25) - Joseph Rodriguez scored a game high 25 points, includingseven free throws in the finaltwo minutes to lift AU Puerto Rico to a 75-72 victoryover Old Dominion in the seventh place game of theSan Juan Shootout on Saturday (Nov. 25). The Monarchs drop to 1-4 on the season.
The Pirates of Au jumped out to a 19 point lead, 40-21 witha minute left in the first half. Au shot a blistering .654from the floor (17-26) in the first half.
The Monarchs rallied in the second half as freshmanJohn Waller (Richmond, Va.) and senior Heath Burris(Va. Beach, Va.) hit seven three-pointers between themto help pull ODU within striking distance.
But with Au leading by only three, Rodriguez hit seven ofeight free throws , including two with nine second left to seal thevictory.
Heath Burris led ODU with a career high 13 points,while Waller scored a career hith 12 points. SophomoreRasheed Wright (Greensboro, NC.) led the Monarchs with 14and was named to the All-Tournament squad.
ODU outrebounded AU, 45-28 as Ricardo Marsh (Mebane, NC) and CliftonJones (Pleasantville, NJ) hauled in eightrebounds each. The Monarchs shot .338 (23-68) from the floor, while thePirates of Au-Puerto Rico shot . 605(26-43).
Old Dominion travels to Philadelphia, Pa. to playSt. Joseph's Wednesday at 7 p.m.