Nov. 22, 2010
ST. THOMAS, VI-- Old Dominion (4-1) defeated Xavier (4-1), 67-58 to win the Paradise JamChampionship Monday night. Hassell led the way for ODU with 16 points and eight rebounds. He along with Ben Finney were named to the All-Tournament team withFinney earning MVP honors.
ODU led most of the game, including 33-25 at halftime, but Xavier stormed backto tie the game at 52-52 with 6:07 left on a three-pointer by Mark Lyons.
ODU then finished the game on a 15-6 run. Junior forward Chris Cooper hit twofree throws to put the Monarchs back up for good at 54-52 with 4:50 left. Aftera Xavier turnover Kent Bazemore scored to put ODU up four at 56-52. Frank Hassellmade it 60-54 with 1:31 left, then Bazemore, Trian Iliadis hit a total of sevenfree throws to close out the game.
Once again, ODU's bench came up big. Senior Darius James picked up three firsthalf fouls, but Iliadis and Marquel DeLancey chipped in. DeLance scored a careerhigh seven points and dished out three assists with only one turnover in 20 minutesof playing time. Iliadis scored 12 points with three-for-four shooting from the floor, including two treys.
ODU shot .462 (24-52) from the floor and outrebounded Xavier, 36-25. BesidesHassell's eight boards, Kent Bazemore hauled down nine rebounds to go with hisnine points.
Xavier was led in scoring by Tu Holloway with 14 and Mark Lyons with 14. Hollowaycame into the game with a 27 per game scoring average.
The Monarchs return to action on Dec. 1 when they host the Spiders of Richmondat the Ted Constant Convocation Center.
FINNEY NAMED CAA CO-PLAYER OF THE WEEKFinney averaged 13.3 points and 4.3 4.3 assists in helping ODU to wins overHigh Point, St. Peter's and Clameson. He scored double figures in all three contests,including 13 in the win over Clemson that sent the Monarchs to the Paradise JamFinals.
The All tournament
2010 TOURNAMENT MVP - Ben Finney, Old Dominion2010 ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM:Jeff Robinson, Seton HallLarry Anderson, Long Beach StateDemontez Stitt, ClemsonFrank Hassell, Old DominionTu Holloway, Xavier