MIAMI, FL—ODU Sophomore guard Keenan Palmore scored 17 points and ODU’s defense held FIU to 36 total points as the Monarchs defeated the Panthers, 52-36 at the U.S. Century Bank Arena Thursday night. ODU has now won three straight to improve its record to 8-9 overall and 2-0 in Conference USA.
The 36 points was just two shy of the school mark for fewest points by an opponent set Jan. 5, 2011 by Northeastern.
ODU played the majority of the game without leading scorer, sophomore Aaron Bacote who injured his right ankle at the 10:12 mark of the first half. He is listed as day-to-day.18 turo
The Monarchs held FIU to just 14 points in the first half and led 29-14. Palmore led with 10 points followed by freshman Denzell Taylor with eight points and six rebounds. The Monarchs shot .355 (11-31) from the floor, while the Panthers shot .294 (5-17).
In the second half, FIU cut the Monarchs lead to 11 (29-18) after a jumper by Cody Mann at the 18:30 mark and then nine 36-27 at the 14:31 mark on a layup by Tymell Murphy. ODU then went on an 8-0 run on a three-pointer by Ambrose Mosley, a layup by Jordan Baker and a three-point play by Richard Ross to give ODU a 44-27 lead with 10:01 left. The Monarchs biggest lead was 19, 52-33 with a minute left to play.
Joining Palmore in double figures was red-shirt junior Dimitri Batten with 11. ODU outrebounded the Panthers, 37-28 as freshman Denzell Taylor hauled down eight along with nine points. Batten hauled down seven. Batten also came up with four steals on the night, while freshman Ambrose Mosley had th ree steals, followed by two each for Bacote and Palmore. ODU has outrebounded 13 of their last 14 opponents.
FIU was led by Tymell Murphy with 20 points , three blocked shots and six steals. FIU shot .310 (13-42) from the floor, and ODU finished at .373 (19-51).