Jan 7, 2004
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) - John Waller scored 13 of his 20 points in the secondhalf, including six on one possession, and Old Dominion rallied from a 20-point deficit to beat George Mason 74-71 on Wednesday night. It was the biggest comeback in ODU DivisionI history.
The Monarchs (7-4, 2-0 Colonial Athletic Association) appeared to be headedfor their sixth straight road loss to the Patriots, trailing 63-43 with 11:27remaining. However, the Patriots (8-3, 1-1) were outscored 31-8 the rest wayand did not hit a field goal over the final 7:12.
Raoul Heinen scored 18 points to lead George Mason, which had won fourstraight. George Mason's leading scorer, Mark Davis, who missed the last twogames because of a left ankle injury, returned to the lineup to score eightpoints.
The Monarchs took their biggest slice into the George Mason lead in a 7-0run, starting with 6:50 to play. Waller hit a 3-pointer while a foul againstGeorge Mason was being called away from the ball. The Monarchs were awarded theball out of bounds and Kiah Thomas made the first of two free throws. OldDominion got the rebound of Thomas' miss, and Waller sank a 3-pointer from thecorner that cut the lead to eight.
Alex Loughton, who scored 17 points, and hauled in 11 rebounds scored four straight points from the line for Old Dominion, giving the Monarchs their first lead, 72-71, with 51seconds to play.
Drew Williamson made two free throws with 30 seconds left to push the leadto three. George Mason missed three 3-pointers in the closing seconds.
Freshman Arnaud Dahi (Ivory Coast)scored a career high 17 points. Dahi wasnamed the CAA Rookie of the Week earlier this week.ODU returns home to play Hofstra on Saturday in a 7 p.m. contest.
PREVIOUS GREAT ODU COMEBACK VICTORIESDown 20 on Feb. 17, 1975 at Randolph Macon in Ashland, Va.61-41 with 17:23 left, ODU ties the game at regulation, then wins 86-85in two overtimes.
Down 19 vs. UAB, March 2, 1985 in Hampton Coliseum(SUn Belt Semi-Finals)UAB led 59-40 with 9:31 left, ODU rallies to win, 68-67.
Down 17 vs. Central Conn, Dec. 29 1998 in HIlo, HI, ODU trailed 53-36) with15:26 left, rallies to win , 77-75.Down 17 vs. JMU, Dec. 30, 1990 in Scope, JUM led 49-32 with18:05 left, ODU rallys to win, 85-81.