NORFOLK, VA—The Old Dominion University Monarchs (7-1) won their fourth straight game with a 85-48 victory over North Carolina A&T Sunday afternoon in the Ted Constant Convocation Center. Four Monarchs scored in double-figures led by senior Richard Ross (Wichita Falls, TX.) with 12, sophomore Ambrose Mosley (Jacksonville, FL.) with 11 while juniors Aaron Bacote (Hampton, VA.) and Nik Biberaj (Fairfax Station, VA.) each scored 10. In all, 12 of the 13 Monarchs scored atleast two points.
The Monarchs, who have not played since Dec. 3, jumped out to a 12-2 lead after a dunk by Richard Ross with with 14:35 left in the first half. The lead ballooned to 20, 29-9 with 7:19 left in the half after an Ambrose Mosely three-pointer and the Monarchs went into the locker room with a 41-21 halftime lead. In the second half, ODU led by as much as 40 at 83-43 with 1:16 left
After shooting a blistering .615 (16-26) in the second half, the Monarchs finished the afternoon at .541 (33-61)and outrebounded the Aggies, 41-19. Balanced ODU rebounding was led by junior Trey Freeman (Virginia Beach, VA.) with seven, followed by Aaron Bacote with six, Richard Ross and Nick Biberaj with five each. ODU committed only six turnovers for the game.
The Monarchs dished out a season high 20 assists as Aaron Bacote led with a career high tying eight, followed by Freeman with four. Bacote had eight assists last year against Murray State.
NC A&T finished the game shooting .396 (19-48) for the game. Khary Dob;y led with 16 points and five rebounds followed by Bruce Beckford with 15.
The Monarchs return to action Wednesday night at 8 p.m. against Sun Belt Conference favorite Georgia State. The game will be televised live nationally on the American Sports Network which can be seen in Hampton Roads on channel 33 (over the air) and channel 2 on Cox.
ROSS & FREEMAN GRADUATE
Monarch basketball players Richard Ross and Trey Freeman were two of twenty-two student athletes who earned undergraduate degrees from Old Dominion University during winter commencement exercises yesterday at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. Ross and Freeman will retain their eligibility on the squad for the spring semester. Ross will be pursuing a second major in the spring 2015 semester, while Freeman will begin course work for a graduate degree in Sports Management.
MEET THE MONARCH BREAKFASTS
Join the ODU Men's Basketball coaches, fans, and select players at our annual Meet the Monarchs breakfast. The dates for the 2014-2015 season are December 16, January 14 and February 18 from 7:30am - 8:30am in the Big Blue Room of the Ted Constant Center. The breakfast will be $5 in advance, or $10 at the door. Call 757.683.6963 for more information.