Nov. 18, 2005
ST.THOMAS, VI--Junior forward Valdas Vasylius (Klaipeda Lithianis) scored 19 points to lead the Monarchs of Old Dominion University to a 74-65 victory over the University of Georgia in the first round of the Paradise Jam. The Monarchs will play Fordham on Saturday at 6 p.m. ET.
With starters Alex Loughton (Perth, Australia) and Drew Williamson (Burlington, NC.) saddled with two early fouls Each, Vasylius came off the bench to score 11 straight points to help put the Monarchs up 19-11 with 11:24 left in the first half. The Bulldogs fought back to tie the game at 34 at halftime.
In the second half ODU took a 17-point lead (56-39) with 8:14 left after a free throw by Drew Williamson, but again the Bulldogs rallied to cut the lead to two, 60-58 with3:50 remaining on two free throws by Levi Stukes.
Alex Loughton hit a bucket and a free throw, then Brian Henderson (Richmond, VA.)sank a trey to give the Monarchs a 68-61 lead with 1:41. Levi Stukes hit a trey to cut it to 69-64, but Loughton hit two free throws, Vasylius got a dunk and senior IsaiahHunter (Charlotte, NC.) hit a free throw to help ODU pull away for the win.
Drew Williamson and sophomore Brandon Johnson each scored 12 points and keyedODU's defense that came up with 14 steals. Both had three each. LoughtonEnded up with eigth points, all in the second half and led both teams with a gameHigh six rebounds and two blocked shots.
ODU shot .455 (25-55) from the floor, while the Bulldogs shot .407 (22-54). ODUHeld the Bulldogs to .333 (9-27) shooting in the second half. The Monarchs committedOnly six turnovers in the second half.
The win was the Monarchs first victory over an SEC team since beating SouthCarolina 59-56 in Charlotte, NC in 1998-99.