Nov. 16, 2008
Charlotte, N.C. (AP)-- Jonathan Adams hit a 3-pointer with 5.5 seconds to give Old Dominion a 69-68 victory against Charlotte on Sunday night in the Monarchs' season opener. The Monarchs host UAB Saturday at 4 p.m. for homecoming.
Ben Finney, Darius James and Gerald Lee scored 14 points each for Old Dominion (1-0), which outrebounded the 49ers 39-23 en route to victory. Old Dominion fell behind with 6:20 left in the game, and didn't regain the lead until Adams' shot fell from the top of the key.
Finney's 3-pointer closed Charlotte's lead to 67-66 with 14.5 seconds left. DiJuan Harris, the Atlantic 10's leader last season in turnover-to-assist ratio, missed one of two free throws for Charlotte (1-1), then turned the ball over at midcourt. That gave Old Dominion a final possession, trailing by two.
Harris' runner from the baseline rimmed out as time expired for Charlotte.
The Monarchs dominated the boards as Gerald Lee led with nine followed by KeyonCarter with eight and Ben Finney with seven. Phil Jones led Charlotte with four.
ODU shot .431 (22-51) from the floor. Gerald Lee was six-for-nine and Ben Finneywas three-for-six, followed by Marsharee Neely at three-for-four. Darius Jameshit three-for five from beyond the arc and ODU was 9-18 for the game.
Charlotte hit 24-27 free throws(16-17 in the second half) for the game, while ODUwas 16-31 (.762).
This was the Monarchs first win over its former Sun Belt Conference rival since1998-99.The was the Monarchs first ever win at Halton Arena and first win in Charlotte since 1988-89.
WHile ODU committed 18 turnovers, sophomore point guard Darius James played 36 minutes without a turnover,scoring 14 points with four assists.