Dec. 10, 2011
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.- Nick Wright and Chris Cooper each scored 10 points, but the Stags ofFairfield defeated the Monarchs, 59-51 late Friday night at the Hall of Fame Holiday Showcase in the MassMutual Center. ODU drops to 5-4 and Fairfield improves to 6-4.
Kent Bazemore and Dimitri Batten led a late first-half surge by the Monarchs (5-4) that got them back to within 29-23 at halftime. But Fairfield opened the second half with an 11-2 run to build a 40-25 lead with 16:26 remaining.
The Monarchs made just 29.8 percent (17 of 57) against the Stags. Old Dominion trailed 46-27 with 12 minutes remaining, but the Monarchs rallied holding Fairfield scoreless for the next 6:22, allowing the Monarchs to trim their deficit to eightwith 1:20 left at 52-44 on a Breon Key layup.
Fairfield's Derek Needham hit three of four free throws and Sean Crawford hit twoto clinch the victory.
Chris Cooper scored 10 points with 11 rebounds for his CAA leading sixth double-double of the year. Nick Wright added 10 points and eight rebounds. FreshmanBreon Key came off the bench to score seven points and come up with three steals.Red-shirt freshman Dimitri Battend scored nine and dished out a game high fiveassists.
Fairfield outrebounded ODU, 41-40 on the day and shot .373 (19-51) from the floor.
The Monarchs break for exams and return to action on Saturday, Dec. 17 in Orlandowhen they take on Central Florida in a 5 p.m. contest.