Dec. 12, 2004
GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) - Alex Loughton's 3-pointer with 16.9 seconds leftlifted Old Dominion to a 51-50 win over East Carolina on Sunday
East Carolina (4-4) overcame a three-point deficit with 4:20 left on a layupby Mike Cook and a pair of free throws by Corey Rouse to take the lead 49-48with 1:29 remaining.
Old Dominion (8-1) was unable to convert on its ensuing possession and thensent Japhet McNeil to the line with 24.9 seconds left. McNeil made one freethrow.
The Monarchs grabbed the rebound and Loughton, who finished with 10 points,scored to give ODU the lead.The victory is head coach Blaine Taylor's50th at ODU.
The victory gives the Monarchs it's best start since the 1998-99 season.ODU led by one at halftime and by as many as four (34-30) at the 17:38mark. ECU took the lead, 45-44 on Japhet McNeil's jumper with 5:24 left.Brandon Johnson then tied the game at 45,hitting one of two free throwswith 5:19 left.
Drew Williamson hits a trey with 4:20 left to put ODU up 48-45. With 1:52left Mike Cook scores on a layup. Corey Rouse hit two free throws togive ECU a 49-48 lead with 1:29 left. With 24.9 seconds left JaphetMcNeil hit one of two free throws to give ECU a 50-48 lead, setting upLoughton's long range trey to win the game.
Mike Cook led all scorers with 16 points for the Pirates, while McNeil added10 points and Corey Rouse had 14 rebounds.
Valdas Vasylius scored 14 points and Loughton added 10 to lead Old Dominion. Arnaud Dahi led ODU with eight rebounds and two blocked shots, while freshman guard BrandonJohnson dished out four assists and hauled in seven boards as well. Drew Williamson led with five assists and three steals.
The teams were tied nine times and saw 11 lead changes. ODU heldECU to .235 shooting (8-34) in the second half.
The Monarchs are now 2-0 against Conference USA teams, having beatenTCU and ECU. ODU will play at DePaul on Jan. 2. The Monarchs returnfor exams this week, then gets back into action with a three-game home series against defending Southern Conference Champion East Tennessee Stateon Saturday, Dec. 18, then Longwood on Monday, Dec. 20 and defendingAtlantic 10 Champion St. Joseph's on Wednesday, Dec. 22.