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Post-Game Press Conference:
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PHILADELPHIA The ODU Monarchs shot 66 percent from the field in the second half to defeat The Drexel dragons, 78-66 and end a 10-game losing streak, and give interim head coach Jim Corrigan his first collegiate win in his first game at the helm. It was ODU's first win since beating Virginia back On Dec. 22nd in Richmond.
The Monarchs are now 3-20 overall and 1-10 in the CAA, Drexel drops to 9-14 overall and 5-6 in the CAA.
Senior DeShawn Painter and red-shirt sophomore Dimitri Batten led the way with 15 points each, followed by 14 points from red-shirt sophomore Richard Ross. Three Monarchs; Keenan Palmore, Donte Hill and Nick Wright scored nine points each.
ODU took a 30-26 halftime lead as they only committed four turnovers and forced the dragons into 12. Drexel shot .500 (10-20) from the field in the half to ODU's .344 (11-32), but the Monarchs came up with seven steals and 10 points off turnovers.
In the second half Drexel rallied and took a 39-38 lead with 15:38 left after two Dartaye Ruffin free throws. A Nick Wright tip-in then free throw put the Monarchs back in the lead for good at 41-39 with 15:15 left. The Monarchs would go on a 14-2 run and take a 55-41 lead with 9:26 left in the game aftera Dimitri Batten layup. ODU's biggest lead was 18, 74-56 with 3:48 left after a Aaron Bacote layup.
ODU shot .652 (15-23) in the second half from the field and .842 (16-19) from the free throw line, while Drexel shot .429 (12-28) from the field in second half.
While Frantz Massenat scored 17 and Derrick Thomas 18, leading scorer Damion Lee was held scoreless on just six shots for the Dragons.
The win also ended Drexel's three-game winning streak over the Monarchs, and was the most points By the Monarchs since scoring 74 in their last game against George Mason.
ODU outrebounded the Dragons, 33-29 as Nick Wright led with seven followed by Richard Ross with six, and Dimitri Batten with five. Donte Hill led with five assists, while freshman Aaron Bacote came up withthree first half steals.
The Monarchs return to action Saturday afternoon when they host CAA leader Northeastern in a 4 p.m. televised game on Comcast Sportsnet.