Nov. 10, 2006
NORFOLK, VA-- The ODU Monarchs open the regularseason with a 54-40 victory over Monmouth in thefirst game of the Cox Communications Classic atthe Ted Constant Convocation. ODU will playArkansas State Saturday at 4 p.m.
The 19 points by Drew Williamson is a career high. ValdasVasylius added nine points with a game high eight rebounds.Arnaud Dahi added eight points.
ODU led by as many as 20 in the first half, 27-7 with2:22 left. Monmouth was 5-21 from the floor in the firsthalf (.238), while ODU shot .382 (13-34) with the help ofeight of the team 13 steals.
In the second half Monmouth cut ODU's lead to six twice, thelast 41-35 with 8:16 left. A couple of free throws by AbdiLidonde and Drew Williamson pushed it back to ten and whenDrew Williamson nailed a trey with with 3:22 left ODU was up51-38.
Both Drew Williamson and Brandon Johnson had four stealson the night.
Monmouth was led by Marques Alston with nine points, whileJohn Bunch hauled in eight rebounds with five blockedshots. The 40 point by Monmouth was the second lowest totalby an ODU opponent. The Monarchs defeated VMI, 86-38 on Dec. 1,2004.
In the second game, Clemson defeated Arkansas State, 83-44 asKC Rivers led with 15 points followed by James Mays with 13 and DavidPotter with 12. Clemson shot .515 (35-68) from the floor and outreboundedASU, 46-29. Arkansas State was led by Isaac Wells with 18 points and Adrian Banks with 13.
Clemson will play Monmouth at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.