HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Despite Trey Freeman’s game-high 24 points and six assists, Old Dominion (9-7, 2-1 C-USA) had its five game win streak snapped by Southern Miss (4-10, 1-2 C-USA) on Saturday night at the Reed Green Coliseum by a score of 73-71.
Khari Price connected on one of two free-throws, before Nik Biberaj made a layup to bring ODU within two points, 70-68, with 22 seconds remaining in regulation. Price again got fouled and made one of two, giving Southern Miss a 71-68 lead with 20 seconds to play.
Aaron Bacote's long three-pointer fell short, leading to two made USM free-throws giving the Golden Eagles a 73-68 lead with six seconds left. Trey Freeman banked in a deep three as time expired, but it wasn’t enough as Southern Miss pulled out a 73-71 victory on Saturday night.
Brandan Stith hauled down a game-high 12 rebounds to compliment eight points. Aaron Bacote finished with 15 points, five rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block. Nik Biberaj chipped in nine points and four rebounds.
ODU held advantages for points in the paint (24-16) and bench points (28-11). For the contest, the lead changed 10 times and the score was tied a total of seven times.
Khari Price led three Southern Miss players in double-figures with 20 points to go along with four assists. Kourtlin Jackson followed with 13 points and seven rebounds. Quinton Campbell chipped in 11 points and five rebounds for the Golden Eagles.
The game experienced its fifth tie at 41-41 with 13:32 remaining in the regulation. The Monarchs then went on a 9-0 run to claim a 50-44 lead at the 10:23 mark. The Golden Eagles answered with a 16-6 run to take a 60-56 lead with 3:22 to play.
Four consecutive made ODU free-throws tied the game up for the seventh time, 60-60, with 2:28 to play in the ballgame. USM then scored seven straight points to take a 67-60 advantage with 49 seconds remaining in regulation.
Bacote converted an and-one to cut ODU’s deficit to four (67-63) with 39 seconds to play. Southern Miss’ Khari Price knocked down two free-throws, before ODU’s Trey Freeman drilled a long three to pull the Monarchs within three points, 69-66, with 30 seconds left.
The Monarchs jumped out to a 20-10 advantage after Aaron Bacote’s second made three-pointer with 10:58 remaining in the opening half. The Golden Eagles answered back with a 20-6 run of their own to take a 30-26 lead at the 2:24 mark.
In a first half which Old Dominion led for 13:25, Southern Miss held a 34-31 lead at halftime behind a half-high nine points from Quinton Campbell. Aaron Bacote paced the Monarchs with eight points on 2-2 shooting from three. Brandan Stith grabbed a half-high nine rebounds to go along with six points. Trey Freeman also netted six points to compliment four assists. The first half experienced four lead changes and three ties.
NEXT UP FOR THE MONARCHS
Old Dominion will return home for four straight home games, starting on Thursday, Jan. 14 against defending Conference USA champions and preseason favorite UAB at 7:00 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network.
The Monarchs currently possess the nation’s fourth longest home winning streak with 32 straight wins at the Ted.
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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