Dec. 29, 2006
NORFOLK, VA -- The Monarchs (8-4) had a five-game home winning streak snapped by the Eagles of Winthrop University (10-3) on Friday night. ODU withstood the well-rounded attack of but struggled to develop an inside presence against the Big South championship team. The Monarchs were led by a career-high 23 from junior guard Brian Henderson as he hit seven three-pointers.
The Eagles of Winthrop had come in with losses only to Top 25 teams and showed a balanced attack from the beginning. The Monarchs matched intensity with long-range shooting and pesky defense. ODU shot a season-high 30 from beyond the arc and stole the ball six times.
Winthrop took a four-point lead into the locker room on 37.5 percent shooting from the field (12-of-32) while the Monarchs were held to 34.5 percent on 10-of-29 shooting. Sharp shooting from outside kept ODU close as six of the ten made field goals in the first half came from beyond the arc.
The Eagles distanced from ODU early in the second half with an 11-point lead with 9:05 to go but the Monarchs continued to push. Valdas Vasylius, who was held to just one first half point, led the charge in the final minutes from the free-throw line. Vasylius was just 1-of-4 from the charity stripe in the first half but nailed six of his last seven to keep the Monarchs within striking range.
Winthrop shot 39 percent from the field for the game to ODU's 36.1 percent. The Monarchs finished just 30 percent from outside on 9-of-30 while the Eagles also hit nine on only 21 changes for a 42.9 percentage. Winthrop held a slight edge from the line with a 16-for-26 (61.2 percent) showing while ODU hit just 12-of-20 (60 percent).
Winthrop was led by Chris Gaynor with 18 points but the Eagles had four in double figures in Torrell Martin (15), Michael Jenkins (14), and Phillip Williams (11). Craig Bradhsaw had eight points, seven rebounds, and four blocks.
Henderson led the Monarchs with a career night from the field. Posting career highs in number of three's made (7) and points (23) the guard finished with game-highs in both. He also had two steals on the night. The junior had a shot to pull the Monarchs within three with 15 seconds to go but came up just short. Senior Drew Williamson also played well with 12 points, six assists, and five boards. Vasylius ended one rebound shy of a double-double finishing with 14 points and nine boards.
The loss marks the first time in three seasons that ODU was defeated twice at home.
ODU begins conference play this Wednesday as they travel to Boston, Massachusetts to face Northeastern University. NU is just 3-8 overall but is 1-0 in the CAA with a 58-51 victory over UNC-W. Tip-off time is set for 7:00 pm.