Jan. 11, 2012
NEWARK, DE-- Chris Cooper's last second tip-in astime expired lifted the Monarchs of ODU to a 68-66 overtime CAA victory over Delaware Wednesday night. This was ODU's school record tying fifth overtime game this season as the Monarchs improve to 9-8 overall and 4-1 in the CAA.
ODU is 3-0 on the road in the Colonial and 3-2 in overtime contests.
Senior Kent Bazemore led the way for ODU with a career high 27 points and a career high tying 12 rebounds. Fellow senior Chris Cooper added 14 points and 10 rebounds giving him ten double-doubles on the season.Richard Ross added a career high 14 points as well.
Down by ten, 33-23 at halftime, the Monarchs rallied and tied the game at 36-36on a dunk by red-shirt freshman Richard Ross with 14:35 left.Ross then came backwith a basket to put ODU up, 38-36.
The Monarchs would lead by as much as seven, 49-42 with 8:58 remaining on a lay-upby Ross. The Blue Hens ralled with an 8-0 run and after a jumper by Khalid Lewiswith 6:14 left in the game, Delaware led 50-49.
On a basket by Donte Hill, ODU regained the lead by four, 55-51 with 3:10 remaining, but Devon Saddler was fouled on a three-point attempt and he promptlyhit all three free throws to make it 55-54 ODU. After an ODU miss Kyle Andersonhit a three-pointer to put the Blue Hens up 57-55 with 40 seconds left.
Kent Bazemore then took the ball to the hoop and was fouled with two secondsleft. The Kelford, NC native hit both free throws to send the game into overtime. This was the third time Bazemore has hit shots to send ODU into extra time (thethree-pointer at Richmond and the two pointer against JMU).
In overtime, Bazemore would score ODU's first nine points with a three-pointer,one of two free throws, another three to tie the game at 64-64 with 2:36 left,then a jumper to put ODU up 66-64 with 1:46 left.
Kyle Anderson's jumper tied the game at 66, then after an ODU turnover, UDmissed a three-point attempt giving the Monarchs one more shot.
Bazemore missed the shot, but Cooper got the rebound and put it in for the Monarch victory.
The five overtime periods ties an ODU school record set in 1978-79.
Delaware was led by Kyle Anderson with 17 points, followed by Devon Saddler andJosh Brinkley with 16 points each. Brinkley also hauled down 11 rebounds, whileJamelle Hagins one of the nation's top rebounder was held to no points and eight rebounds.
The Monarchs dominated the boards, 51-37, including 23 offensive rebounds, led by six from Chris Cooper. ODU committed only ten turnovers and had eight stealsled by Donte Hill with three along with two each by Trian Iliadis and Chris Cooper.
The Monarchs return to action on Saturday afternoon at 12 noon against Hofstra in the Ted Constant Convocation Center.