WHO: Old Dominion (4-4) at Georgia State (4-2)
WHEN: Saturday, December 12 at 2:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: GSU Sports Arena - Atlanta, Ga.
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Live Stream: ESPN 3 – CLICK HERE FOR LINK
Live Stats: CLICK HERE
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The game will air across the Commonwealth on ESPN Radio 94.1 in Hampton Roads, Sports FM 100.5 in Central Virginia and WLVA 94.1 and FOX Sports 580 in Lynchburg.
(Ted Alexander and Dave Twardzik’s live pregame show begins at 1:30 p.m.)
ATLANTA, Ga. - The Old Dominion men’s basketball team (4-4) will travel to Georgia State for a Saturday, Dec. 12 showdown at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN 3. Last year, the Panthers punched their ticket to the Big Dance after winning the Sun Belt Tournament championship. In the second round of the NCAA Tournament, No. 14 seeded GSU upset No. 3 seeded Baylor, 57-56.
After taking down Georgia State last season at the Ted, 58-54 in OT, the Monarchs hold a 16-3 advantage for the all-time series. Prior to last season, the Panthers had won the previous three meetings against ODU.
Most recently, Old Dominion snapped its four game losing skid in a 82-38 rout over Delaware State in a game that Aaron Bacote scored 18 points and Denzell Taylor (18 rebounds) added a double-double to extend the home winning streak to 28 games, which is tied for the seventh-longest current home winning streak in Division I.
The 44-point victory is the third-largest win in Old Dominion Division I history and is the largest margin of victory since a 44-point victory over DePaul in 2005.
Denzell Taylor (6-6 FG) finished the game with 12 points, 18 rebounds, four blocks and two assists. Taylor's 18 rebounds were the most for an ODU player since Deshawn Painter's 16 versus Northeastern in 2013. Taylor’s double-double was his second of the season.
A total of four Monarchs finished in double-figures, led by Aaron Bacote with 18 points and three assists. Also in double figures for Old Dominion were Jordan Baker with 13 points, three steals and two assists and Zoran Talley with 12 points to go along with eight rebounds for the second consecutive contest.
Overall, ODU outrebounded Delaware State, 50-30, and held a 46-16 advantage in points in the paint and a 16-0 edge in fast-break points. The Monarchs shot 50 percent from the field for the game, while holding DSU to just 25 percent, including 18 percent from three-point range.
For the season, Freeman is leading the way for the Monarchs averaging 15.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg and 2.6 apg. Bacote is averaging 14.1 points a contest, while Zoran Talley is netting 8.2 ppg. Nik Biberaj is chipping in 6.3 points per outing to go along with 4.6 boards. Denzell Taylor currently leads ODU with 58 rebounds (7.3 per game).
Old Dominion is averaging 65.4 points a game, while holding opponents to 56.5 points on 36.4% shooting from the floor and 23.9% from long-range. The Monarchs average 11.8 forced turnovers per contest.
MEET GEORGIA STATE
The Panthers enter Saturday’s contest against Old Dominion with a 4-2 overall mark while they are a perfect 3-0 at home. Jeremy Hollowell (16.2 ppg/4.0 rpg) and Louisville-transfer Kevin Ware (12.5 ppg/4.5 rpg) have led GSU six games into the season.
Georgia State’s wins came against Middle Georgia State (73-54), Emmanuel College (77-58), IUPUI (78-72 OT) and at Wright State (59-46). The Panthers lost at Ole Miss (59-68) and at UAB (57-64).
In four seasons, Ron Hunter has changed the national perception of Georgia State; winning 87 games and advancing to the postseason three teams. It was highlighed this past year by winning 25 games for a second year in a row and advancing to the third round of the NCAA tournament following the shocking upset of No. 3-seed Baylor.
The 87 wins are the most in any four-year stretch in program history. Georgia State has entered elite status by winning 25 or more games in each of the last two years, an accomplishment only reached by 20 programs in the entire country.
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. Purchase now at www.ynottix.com.
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