RICHMOND, Va. – In the 101st meeting between Old Dominion (3-3) and VCU, it was the Rams (4-2) who prevailed in a 76-67 win on Saturday afternoon at the Stuart C. Siegel Center. The game experienced a total of six ties and four lead changes.
The Rams utilized a 10-1 run down the stretch to claim a 68-56 lead with 1:15 to play before ultimately pulling out the victory. VCU shot 60% (12-20) from the floor and 50% (6-12) from three in the second half. The Monarchs shot 47.1% from the charity stripe going 8-17 for the contest.
Aaron Bacote (3-4 3PT FG) led all scorers with 21 points, while Trey Freeman followed with 17 points, six assists and two steals. Jordan Baker chipped in eight points and five rebounds, while Zoran Talley went for seven points and five rebounds. Ambrose Mosley added six points and six rebounds.
VCU’s bench outscored ODU’s 33-18. The Rams were led by JeQuan Lewis’ 16 points on 8-10 FT shooting, while Melvin Johnson (4-4 FT) followed with 13 points and Jordan Burgess chipped in 12 points. Saturday marked the first time that Old Dominion has allowed 70 points or more in a game since Feb. 12 of last season (L, 72-67 at UTSA).
A 9-3 VCU run off three consecutive threes gave the Rams a 49-40 advantage at the 13:36 mark of the second half. The Monarchs cut their deficit to 55-50 by the under-eight media timeout with 7:26 to play.
A Zoran Talley three-pointer pulled Old Dominion within three (58-55) with five minutes to play. With 3:45 to play at the last media timeout of the contest, the Rams held onto a 64-56 advantage.
The Monarchs got off to a hot start, knocking down 3-3 from deep to jump off to a 9-3 advantage just two minutes into the contest. Bacote drilled his second three in as many tries and then followed it up with a layup, giving Old Dominion an early 16-8 edge with 14:48 to play in the first half.
Bacote was the first player to score 10 points, when he ended an ODU scoring drought that lasted 6:05 and VCU's 10-0 run with a running floater to tie up the score at 18 apiece with 7:57 left in the opening half.
In a first half which experienced five ties and four lead changes, VCU and ODU went into the locker rooms at halftime all tied up at 35-35, behind Freeman (2-3 3PT FG) and Bacote’s (2-2 3PT FG) 10 points each, as Baker (2-3 3PT FG) followed with eight. Old Dominion connected on 50% (13-26) of its attempts from the floor and 63.6% (7-11) from deep in the first half. The Rams’ bench outscored the Monarchs in the opening 20 minutes, 19-5.
NEXT UP FOR THE BASKETBALL MONARCHS
Old Dominion will make the trek to Williamsburg for a Tuesday, Dec. 1 showdown with cross-town rival William and Mary. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 p.m.
DON’T MISS THE ACTION!
Monarch basketball season tickets are on sale now for the 2015-16 season at YNottix.com or by calling the box office 757-683-4444.
TICKETS (Single Game)
Adult Lower Bowl - $17
Adult Club - $31
Military/Seniors/Youth/Faculty Staff - $15
Group pricing available by calling Todd McKeating at 757-683-7087
WHAT A DEAL! - VOUCHER BOOKS
Get 10 tickets to use at any home ODU basketball games during the 2015-16 regular season. Use them all at one game to bring family and friends, or spread them out over the season. The choice is yours! The price is $120 for a men’s basketball voucher book. That’s a $50 savings over purchasing at the ticket window. Plus the first 200 fans that purchase will get an ODU UnderArmour Team Visor. Purchase now at www.ynottix.com.
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