NORFOLK, Va. -- Trey Freeman tied his career high with 28 points to lead Old Dominion to a thrilling come-from-behind 68-62 victory over WKU on Thursday evening at the Ted Constant Center.
Trailing 29-25 at halftime, Old Dominion (10-9, 3-3 C-USA) outscored WKU (10-9, 2-4 C-USA), 43-33, in the second half. Jordan Baker played a key role in the Monarchs' second-half resurgence, connecting on four three-pointers for all 12 of his points.
Over a nine-minute span from the 11:08 to the 2:11 mark in the second half, Freeman and Baker combined for all 19 of ODU's points over that stretch. It was over that span that the Monarchs would regain the lead.
Freeman has now scored a career-high 28 points in three consecutive games.
The Monarch defense was also a big factor in the win as the Hilltoppers' 62 points was 16 points below their season average of 78.3, which ranked fourth in Conference USA heading into the game. They also shot just 36.8 percent from the field, which was 10 percent below their season mark of 47.1 percent, which ranked third in C-USA.
In the first half, Old Dominion secured an early lead behind a hot start from Freeman, who scored nine of ODU's first 12 points. Freeman finished with 14 points in the half, but it was the Hilltoppers who entered halftime with the lead.
WKU carried a 29-25 advantage into the break, despite shooting just 37 percent from the field. The Hilltoppers held a 9-0 edge in second chance points and their bench outscored the ODU bench, 20-6.
In the second half, behind Freeman and Baker, the Monarchs shot 60.7 percent from the field and 66.7 percent from three-point range, while holding WKU to 36.7 shooting and 18.2 percent from deep to earn the comeback victory.
Aaron Bacote was the third Monarch in double figures with 12 points while also contributing a team-high four assists. Brandan Stith finished with seven points and a team-high nine rebounds.
A trio of bench players landed in double figures for the Hilltoppers. Justin Johnson finished with a team-high 17 points, while Chris Harrison-Docks tallied 16 points and Fredrick Edmond added 14.
The home victory was ODU's first since having its 32-game home winning streak snapped last week.
NEXT UP FOR THE MONARCHS
ODU returns to The Ted on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 2 p.m. against Marshall. The game will be broadcasted on American Sports Network (ASN).
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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.
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Group pricing available by calling Todd McKeating at 757-683-7087
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