WHO: Old Dominion (14-11, 7-5 C-USA) at Western Kentucky (12-13, 4-8 C-USA)
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 18 at 8:00 p.m. EST
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TV: FOX College Sports (Atlantic)
Charter Cable: 304
Verizon FIOS: 300
Direct TV: 608
Online Stream: FOX Sports GO
TV Announcers: Randy Lee (Play By Play) and Hal Schmitt (Color)
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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 7:30 p.m. EST)
BOWLING GREEN, Kent. – Old Dominion (14-11, 7-5 C-USA) will visits Western Kentucky (12-13, 4-8 C-USA) on Thursday, Feb. 18 at 8:00 p.m. EST in a key Conference USA match-up. The game will air on television on FOX College Sports (Atlantic) with Randy Lee on play-by-play and Hal Schmitt handling color duties.
This will be the second meeting of this season between the Monarchs and the Hilltoppers. On Jan. 21 at the Ted, Old Dominion came from behind to claim a thrilling 68-62 victory. Trey Freeman tied his then career high with 28.
Trailing 29-25 at halftime, Old Dominion outscored WKU, 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.
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.
THE ALL-TIME SERIES – WKU vs. OLD DOMINION
Western Kentucky holds a 17-13 advantage in the all-time series against Old Dominion. The teams split last season, each winning on their own hardwood. Prior to last season, the two teams had not met since the 1990-91 season. The first time these two schools ever met in basketball was during the 1970-71. The Hilltoppers won the first six games in the all-time series with ODU.
LAST TIME OUT FOR OLD DOMINION
Trey Freeman poured in a game-high 27 points, but Old Dominion fell to Rice (9-16, 4-8 C-USA), 75-66, on Alumni Day on Saturday at the Ted Constant Center. The loss snapped ODU’s four-game winning streak.
Aaron Bacote was the only other Monarch in double figures with 13 points, while Brandan Stith added six points and hauled in a career-high 16 rebounds.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS FOR OLD DOMINION
For the season, Trey Freeman is leading the way for the Monarchs averaging 21.2 ppg and 3.8 rpg. Aaron Bacote is averaging 13.6 points a contest, while Brandan Stith is netting 9.6 ppg to compliment 9.2 boards per contest. Zoran Talley is averaging 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds, while Nik Biberaj is chipping in 5.2 points per outing to go along with 3.8 boards. Denzell Taylor currently leads ODU with 181 total rebounds (7.2 per game).
Old Dominion is averaging 67.6 points a game, while holding opponents to 62.0 points on 40.0% shooting from the floor and 30.9% from long-range. The Monarchs turn the ball over 9.1 times per game, while forcing opponents into an average of 11.0 forced turnovers per contest.
MEET WKU
After a third-straight 20-win season in 2014-15, becoming the first head coach in WKU’s illustrious men’s basketball history to do so in each of his first three full seasons at the helm, Ray Harper is in the midst of his fourth full season and fifth overall as Hilltopper head coach in 2015-16.
In four seasons under Harper, the Hilltoppers are 9-2 in conference tournament action, resulting in two championships and automatic berths to the NCAA Tournament in 2012 and 2013. WKU has secured 20-win seasons in each of the last three seasons, including in 2014-15 in its inaugural season in Conference USA.
Justin Johnson leads three Western Kentucky players averaging double figures per game at 16.1 points per contest to compliment a team-high 8.0 rebounds, while Aaron Cosby (12.2 ppg) and Frederick Edmond (10.0 ppg) follow.
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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