Nov. 12, 2005
NORFOLK, VA--Sophomore guard Brandon Johnson (Orlando, Fl) dished out ten assists to lead the Old Dominion University Monarchs to a 96-51 win over visiting Virginia State Saturday night at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. The victory improved ODU's exhibition record to 2-0 as they head into regular season play this week. Senior forward Alex Loughton (Perth, Australia) contributed a double-double by pouring in 15 points and snaring 10 rebounds.
Sophomore guard Brian Henderson was one of the catalysts for Old Dominion's fast start, draining three treys in as many attempts as ODU jumped out to a 29-8 lead in the first half. The Monarch lead would extend to 37-9 with 6:57 left in the first half thanks to a breakaway dunk by senior guard Isaiah Hunter (Charlotte, NC). Hunter scored 16 points, a team high, in his first action of the preseason.
Johnson earned four of his 10 assists in a four-minute span of the second half, and did not commit a turnover the entire game. Old Dominion limited the Trojans to 33% shooting on the night, while converting 61% of their field goals. Loughton also blocked four shots to go along with his 15 points and 10 boards. ODU also controlled the boards in the exhibition, out rebounding the Trojans 44-22 on the evening.
ODU would connect on 57% of their three-pointers on the night, led by Henderson's 3-3 performance. Junior guard Drew Williamson (Burlington, NC) made two of his three attempts, and finished the game with 10 points and seven assists. Freshman Jonathan Adams (Chattanooga, TN) grabbed seven rebounds in 15 minutes of action. For Virginia State, Michael Askew scored a team-high 13 points, and connected on three of his five three-point attempts.
Old Dominion begins regular season play this week as they travel to the island of St. Thomas to participate in the Paradise Jam tournament. The Monarchs have drawn Georgia as their first opponent on November 18th. ODU will also face Fordham in a tournament that also fields Norfolk State, Eastern Kentucky, and Wisconsin as participants.