NORFOLK, Va. – 13 Monarchs played and 11 scored, as the Old Dominion men’s basketball team dominated Virginia State by a 71-32 score on Wednesday night in the first of two exhibitions at the Ted Constant Convocation Center. Zoran Talley led a trio of ODU players in double-figures with 16 points on 7-10 shooting.
Also in double-digits for Old Dominion were B.J. Stith (13 points on 6-9 shooting and five rebounds) and Ahmad Caver (11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals). Brandan Stith went for a game-high of nine rebounds and five blocks to compliment five points. Aaron Carver hauled down seven boards in the winning effort.
Old Dominion’s defense held Virginia State to 14 first half points and just 32 for the ballgame on 19.2% (10-52) from the floor, 10% (2-20) from three and 45.5% (10-22) from the free-throw line. ODU out-rebounded VSU 50-35 for the night.
ODU jumped out to an early 9-2 advantage at the 15:57 mark of the first half forcing a Trojans timeout. Virginia State cut into its deficit, 14-10, with 9:53 remaining in the opening half.
Old Dominion then used an 8-1 run to claim a 22-11 lead after 13 minutes, before taking a 34-14 lead into the locker rooms at halftime with them. Eight Monarchs scored in the first half, with Talley leading the way with nine points. ODU held Virginia State to 17.9% (5-28) shooting from the floor.
10 minutes into the second half, Old Dominion’s defense held Virginia State to just three points, as the Monarchs extended their lead 56-17. By the four minute mark, the Monarchs led by 40, 65-25.
The Monarchs finished the contest shooting 49.2% (29-59) from the floor, 27.3% (3-11) from three and 10-20 (50%) from the charity stripe.
Melvin Gregory and Walter Williams paced the Trojans with six points each, respectively.
Old Dominion will be right back in action for its second and final exhibition on Friday, Nov. 4 at 7:00 p.m., when the Monarchs welcome Virginia Wesleyan to the Constant Center.
Friday’s exhibition can be viewed live in HD for FREE via C-USA TV. Friday night’s game against Virginia Wesleyan will also air live on the ODU Sports Radio Network with Ted Alexander on play-by-play and ODU Hall of Famer Dave Twardzik will handle color duties.
Tickets for Wednesday and Friday’s exhibitions are $10. All ODU students get in free all year long. Single-game and season tickets for Old Dominion University men’s basketball are on sale now at www.ynottix.com or by calling 757-683-4444. For group pricing (10+), please call Todd McKeating at 757-683-7087.
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