FAIRFIELD, Conn. – The Old Dominion men’s basketball team (8-3, 0-0 C-USA) won its third straight game after taking down Fairfield (4-6, 0-0 MAAC) on the road in overtime by an 82-77 score at George Bisacca Court at Alumni Hall on Sunday afternoon. Ahmad Caver (7-14 3PT) led all scorers, pouring in a career-high of 30 points.
“We had a dog fight on our hands today,” said ODU head coach Jeff Jones. “It is never easy on the road, so it is great to get this win. Ahmad played a great game for us and really kept us in it early on in the contest. We are happy to get this victory and are now excited to direct our attention to Norfolk State.”
The Monarchs led by nine, 44-35, with 11:53 to play in the second half, before the Stags went on a 13-3 run to take a 48-47 advantage with 7:17 remaining in regulation. Old Dominion responded on a 9-0 run, claiming a 56-48 lead at the 6:35 mark.
A Randy Haynes three gave ODU a 63-55 lead with 3:02 to play, before the Stags went on an 8-0 run to tie the contest, 63-63 at the 1:28 mark. A Brandan Stith dunk gave Old Dominion a 65-63 lead with 58 seconds remaining, but Fairfield’s Tyler Nelson was fouled with six seconds left in the second half and connected on both free-throws, sending the game into overtime.
In overtime, Old Dominion led by as many as seven, as B.J. Stith, Ahmad Caver, Randy Haynes and Trey Porter all scored, propelling ODU to outscore the Stags 17-12 during the extra five minute period. Haynes scored nine of his 16 points in overtime. ODU finished OT shooting 46.2% (6-13) from the floor, 66.7% (2-3) from three and 75.0% (3-4) from the free-throw line.
Four Monarchs scored in double-figures, led by Caver’s career-high 30 points to go along with a career-high seven rebounds, four assists and two steals. Randy Haynes finished with 16 points, six rebounds and two assists. Brandan Stith nearly had his second double-double in as many games, recording 13 points and nine rebounds, while B.J. Stith went for 11 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
For the ballgame, ODU held advantages for points in the paint (36-12), rebounds (50-34), second chance points (17-3), turnovers (9-16) and steals (10-4). The Monarchs finished the contest shooting 80.0% (12-15) from the charity stripe. The game experienced eight ties and seven lead changes.
Tyler Nelson led the Stags with 26 points, going 10-11 from the free-throw line.
In a first half that the Stags led for 14:44 and by as many eight, the Monarchs would claim a two-point lead, 26-24, at halftime. Ahmad Caver led all scorers in the opening 20 minutes with 14. ODU held advantages for points in the paint (8-2) and points off turnovers (10-3), while causing 11 FU turnovers.
Old Dominion will return to action on Friday, Dec. 22, when the Monarchs take on Norfolk State for ‘Throwback Night’ at The Norfolk Scope for a 7:00 p.m. tip.