PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Marvin O'Connor had 22 points as St. Joseph's used an aggressive transition game to gain a 70-65 victory over Old Dominion on Wednesday night (Nov. 29).
The Monarchs committed 20 turnovers which St. Joseph's converted into numerous fast-break layups, including six by O'Connor. Jameer Nelson, a freshman point guard making his first home start, had 12 points, nine assists, four steals and just one turnover for St. Joseph's (4-1), which is off to its best start since 1995-96, head coach Phil Martelli's first season. Damian Reid added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Hawks.
The Monarchs tied the game at 38 with 17:41 left on athree-point play by Ricardo Marsh. With 8:29 left in thegame, St. Joseph's built it to 12, 54-52. With 22 secondsleft, Clifton Jones hit one of two free throws to cut itto three, 66-63.
The Monarchs return to action on Saturday night whenthey host North Carolina State at 7:35 in Scope.
The Monarchs (1-5), who have yet to defeat a Division I opponent this season and are off to their worst start since 1971-72, were paced by 16 points from Andre McCullum and Ricardo Marsh, 11 points from Clifton Jones and 10 points from Pierre Greene.