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Post-Game Press Conference:
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NORFOLK, VA--ODU freshman Aaron Bacote (Hampton, VA.) scored a career high 19 points, Donte Hill (Virginia Beach, VA.)scored 14 points and DeShawn Painter (Norfolk, VA.) added 13, but the Monarchs lost to Central Florida Friday night, 75-71, as Tristan Spulock hit four free throws and Isaiah Sykes two in the final 28 seconds to send the Monarchs to their eighth straight loss.
Down by as many as 11,(32-21) with 6:01 remaining in the first half, the Monarchs fought back to cut the lead to 36-30 at halftime on a layup from Donte Hill. In the second half, ODU got to within one seven different times, finally tying the game, 50-50, then taking the lead 51-50 with 11:44 left after two red-shirt sophomore Dimitri Batten (Newport News, VA.) free throws.
UCF came right back with a layup from Dylan Karell to re-take the lead at 52-51. After an ODU miss, Isaiah Sykes scored to put the Knights up 54-51 with 10:24 left. ODU would get to within one several more times, the last, at 61-60 after a Painter jumper with 4:22 left, but Kasey Wilson nailed a three-pointer to put the Knights back up four, 64-60 with 3:41.
ODU had one last chance with 23 seconds left after a Richard Ross layup cut the UCF lead to 71-69, but Spurlock hit two free throws and after an ODU miss, Isaiah Sykes hit two more free throws for a 75-69 lead. ODU freshman Keenan Palmore (Stone Mountain, GA.) scored as time ran out for the final 75-71 score.
UCF was led in scoring by Calvin Newell with 17 points, while Keith Clanton added 15 points, Followed by 14 points each from Kasey Wilson and Isaiah Sykes. Sykes also had five steals and seven assists on the night.
The Knights shot. 545 (24-44) from the field, .571 (8-for-14) from three point range and .760 (19-25) from the line. ODU finished the night .463 (25-54) from the floor, .450 (9-20) from beyond the arc.
Keenan Palmore and Donte Hill both dished our five assists, while Palmore came up with four steals. ODU and UCF both had 28 rebounds on the night.
The Monarchs hit the road Tuesday when they play at the College of Charleston at 7:30 p.m. in a contest that can been seen on ESPN3.com.