Jan. 24, 2007
NORFOLK, VA -- The Monarchs went into the locker room at half time with just six field goals, none from beyond the arc, five turnovers, and a 13-point deficit. The team created a 28-point swing and left the court with 21 field goals, just three second half turnovers, and a 15-point victory,59-44. The Monarchs were led by senior Valdas Vasylius with 21 points and six rebounds.
The Tribe started the game on an 11-1 run and totaled a lead as high as 17 in the first half on an Adam Payton layup with 4:44 remaining. The Monarchs could not find a rhythm from the field and shot just 19.4% (6-for-31). Also in the first frame the Monarchs were scoreless from beyond the arc despite taking 14 long-range jumpers.
Despite the poor shooting, Old Dominion was down just 13 at the break as their six field goals were countered by William & Mary's eight. The Monarchs turned the tables in the second half as the Tribe only converted six field goals in the second half.
The momentum shifted immediately in the second half as ODU started on a 14-0 run that ended with a Drew Williamson three-pointer that put the Monarchs up by one with 14:57 remaining.
The half teetered back and forth for several minutes before Vasylius grabbed a pass from Brandon Johnson among three defenders, went up strong, and banked it off the glass while being fouled by Steven Hess. The free throw would be good and the Monarchs would finish the game on 22-6 run to seal the victory.
Vasylius paced the Monarchs with 21 points with 17 coming in the second half as he went 6-for-6 from the field in that frame. The senior also went 5-for-6 from the charity stripe and grabbed 6 rebounds. Drew Williamson was the only other Monarch in double digits with 13 as he added four assists and five rebounds.
Leaders in the non-statistical categories were Brandon Johnson, who also added nine points, three assists, and three rebounds, Abdi Lidonde, and Gerald Lee. Johnson played tight defense and found the open man in the paint all night. Lidonde made several hustle plays during key moments that turned momentum in favor of the Monarchs and Lee worked with Vasylius and Arnaud Dahi to hold the Tribe's second leading scorer Laimis Kisielius to just four points and one rebound.
The Tribe was led by Adam Payton with 15 points and six rebounds on 5-of-9 shooting. David Schneider was 3-of-7 from long range including two early from several steps beyond the arc.
As a team, ODU outrebounded William & Mary 40-28 and grabbed 12 offensive boards. The Tribe had twice as many turnovers with 16, as the Monarchs only gave the ball away eight times. In the percentages, the Monarchs followed finished with a 36.8% total from the field while holding the Tribe to just 31.8%.
Old Dominion improves to 13-7 overall and 6-3 in the conference and return to action this Saturday at UNC Wilmington. Tip is set for 4:00 pm. on ComCast Sportsnet channel 35 in Hampton Roads. ODU returns home next Monday as they host Georgia State with tip set for 7:00 pm.