WHO: Marshall (14-12, 10-3 C-USA) at Old Dominion (15-11, 8-5 C-USA)
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 20 at 7:00 p.m. EST
WHERE: Henderson Center – Huntington, W.V.
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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 6:30 p.m. EST)
HUNTINGTON, W.V. – Fifth place Old Dominion (15-11, 8-5 C-USA) travels to second place Marshall (14-12, 10-3 C-USA) for a Saturday Conference USA showdown at 7:00 p.m. EST at the Henderson Center. The Monarchs boast the C-USA’s best road record in conference play with a 5-1 mark so far this season. ODU has claimed victory in five of its past six contests, while Marshall has won three straight.
In Conference USA play, Marshall is averaging 92.8 points per game.
THE FIRST MEETING THIS SEASON BETWEEN ODU and MARSHALL
The first time these two squads met earlier this season on Jan. 23, Trey Freeman poured in a then career-high 37 points in a game that experienced 17 lead changes and 17 ties, but it was Marshall’s James Kelly’s three-pointer with 3.2 seconds remaining that gave the Thundering Herd a 78-75 win over ODU at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.
Freeman’s 37 points were the most for a Monarch since Kent Bazemore scored 37 versus Drexel on Feb. 25, 2012.
Brandan Stith finished second on ODU in scoring with 15 points and six rebounds, while Zoran Talley added 10 points and six boards. Baker also finished with six points and a career-high seven assists.
Kelly led the Thundering Herd with 21 points and 12 rebounds, while Ryan Taylor added 19 points and seven boards.
THE ALL-TIME SERIES – MARSHALL vs. OLD DOMINION
Old Dominion leads the all-time series against Marshall, 8-5. The Monarchs took the Thundering Herd in both games last season. Marshall’s win earlier this season at ODU actually snapped a five game win streak for the Monarchs over the Thundering Herd.
LAST TIME OUT FOR OLD DOMINION
In a contest which endured 15 lead changes, ODU guard Trey Freeman recorded over 2,000 career points as he poured in a game-high 26 to lead the Old Dominion men’s basketball team over Western Kentucky (12-14, 4-9 C-USA) by a 59-56 score on Thursday night at E.A. Diddle Arena. The win marked the first time that the Monarchs have taken down Hilltoppers in Bowling Green since 1988.
Aaron Bacote then drilled a three to bring Old Dominion within one, 56-55, with 1:25 to play. With 31 seconds remaining in regulation, Trey Freeman connected on a deep contested two-pointer to give Old Dominion a 57-56 lead, in which the Monarchs would not relinquish.
Freeman entered the contest with 1,997 career points, giving the redshirt senior captain 2,023 entering Saturday’s ballgame at Marshall. Freeman also dished out a game-high four assists.
Brandan Stith finished with 16 points, a game-high 13 rebounds and a game-high five blocks. The Monarchs shot 53.6% (15-28) from the floor in the second half, while holding Western Kentucky to 31.8% (7-22) shooting in the first half.
ODU held a 15-3 advantage for points off turnovers for the contest. Along with 15 lead changes, the game also experienced a total of eight ties. Old Dominion held a lead for 19:40, Western Kentucky led for 14:40, while the game was tied for 5:40.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS FOR OLD DOMINION
For the season, Trey Freeman is leading the way for the Monarchs averaging 21.4 ppg and 3.7 rpg. Aaron Bacote is averaging 13.2 points a contest, while Brandan Stith is netting 10 ppg to compliment 9.4 boards per contest. Zoran Talley is averaging 8.1 points and 4.8 rebounds, while Nik Biberaj is chipping in 5.0 points per outing to go along with 3.8 boards. Denzell Taylor currently leads ODU with 189 total rebounds (7.3 per game).
Old Dominion is averaging 67.2 points a game, while holding opponents to 61.8 points on 40% shooting from the floor and 31% from long-range. The Monarchs turn the ball over 9.0 times per game, while forcing opponents into an average of 11.0 forced turnovers per contest.
MEET MARSHALL
Herd senior James Kelly turned in a game for the ages, in what was his 13th double-double of the season…by halftime. When the 6-foot-8 senior left the floor with 3:34 to play, he’d finished with 27 points and 23 rebounds as Marshall rolled to an 87-72 Conference USA victory over Charlotte on Thursday night. The Miami (Fla.) transfer posted the first 20-20 game for a Marshall player in 43 years.
Only one Division I player this season has eclipsed Kelly’s 23. Five days earlier in the Mountain West, Nevada’s Cameron Oliver pulled down 24 in a 77-72 overtime victory over Fresno State. Kelly’s number is the highest board total for the Herd since now Marshall head coach Dan D’Antoni’s teammate Bob Allen corralled 25 in a 131-91 win over visiting Old Dominion on Feb. 27, 1968.
Kelly James is now averaging 20.7 points per game overall and 24.1 ppg in C-USA play. Also in averaging double figures for the Thundering Herd are Jon Elmore (14.9 ppg), Ryan Taylor (14.0 ppg) and Stevie Browning (12.8 ppg).
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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