Jan. 13, 2007
NORFOLK, VA -- On a night where the ODU crowd nearly blew the roof off because of sharp-shooting outside it was a contested lay-up late in the game by freshman Gerald Lee that got the highest of praise from the fans. ODU improves to 12-5 overall and 5-1 in the CAA with a huge conference win over the Drexel Dragons (12-4, 4-2).
ODU matched a season-high from beyond the arc with 10 three-pointers from the hands of six different shooters. However, with 5:18 left in the game and the Monarchs already up 31, freshman Gerald Lee received a pass from Brandon Johnson inside. With three veteran Dragons towering over him the first-year player went up strong, kissing it off the glass for two and a shot at the three-point play.
The play did not mean much to the game, as he would miss the free-throw and the lead was already all but insurmountable, but it was a snapshot of the kind of muscle Lee threw at the experienced Drexel front court all day.
Lee ended the game with a career high 14 points and a deceptive two rebounds, with all kinds of great work down low against Senior Chaz Crawford. He helped hold Crawford to just two points and two boards, well below his season average of 6.7 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.
In the first, the home team sprinted out to an 18-point halftime lead and never looked back. Every time Drexel seemed to get a big shot, the Monarchs would answer with another huge three.
In the second half, the lead would never fall to less than 18 points and was extended to 35 at one point, before the final margin would settle at 27 as the Monarchs were victorious 84-57.
ODU used impressive shot selection and great passing to shoot 58.5% (31-for-53) from the field and 62.5% (10-of-16) from beyond the arc. Drexel shot well from the field also (19-of-45 for 42.2%, but could not match ODU from outside going just 20% (3-for-15) from outside.
Drew Williamson had a game-high 16 points, five assists, and four steals, while Brandon Johnson dished the ball eight times for assists, adding six points, seven rebounds, one block, and one steal. Also in double digits in scoring for ODU was Valdas Vasylius with 13 and Arnaud Dahi with 11. Dahi played well in the inside-out game getting three assists and also defended well enough for one block and two steals.
The loss was the second big conference loss in three days for the Dragons, as they fell in overtime to Hofstra just two nights ago. Bruiser Flint's squad was led by Scott Rodgers with 13 points and Bashir Mason added eleven. Dominick Mejia had nine rebounds for the Dragons.
Old Dominion hits the road this week as they face off against James Madison Wednesday with tip-time set for 7:00 pm. The Monarchs hold a 45-22 series advantage over the Dukes with the Monarchs taking the last meeting at home earlier this season, 70-57.