HOUSTON, Texas - The Old Dominion men's basketball team (7-4, 3-2 C-USA) had its three-game win-streak snapped in a 69-59 loss at Rice (10-3, 4-1 C-USA) on Friday afternoon at Tudor Fieldhouse.
After trailing by as many as 20 points in the first half, Kalu Ezikpe capped off an 11-0 ODU run to pull the Monarchs within six, 55-49, at the 10:31 mark of the second half. The Owls responded by scoring 14 of the game's next 18 points, expanding their lead to 69-53 with 3:27 remaining in regulation, before ultimately claiming a 10-point victory on Friday afternoon in Houston.
Malik Curry (three assists, two rebounds and two steals) and Austin Trice (seven rebounds) led the Monarchs with 15 points each. Also in double figures for ODU was Ezikpe, who finished with 10 points, six rebounds, one block and one steal. A.J. Oliver II went for eight points, nine rebounds and two assists.
"We just didn't do a whole lot from a toughness standpoint to help ourselves," explained ODU head coach Jeff Jones. "We had to play with a lot more focus. We played a little bit better in the second half and tried to chip away at the deficit, but we just couldn't sustain it. Rice outplayed us today and we have to find a way to respond tomorrow."
For the game, Old Dominion held an 18-7 advantage for bench points. Rice finished the contest connecting on 14 of 40 three-pointers.
ODU ended the first half on a 7-0 run to cut its deficit to 13, 42-29, at halftime. The Monarchs were led by Trice's 11 points (3-4 FG) and four rebounds, while Curry chipped in 10 points, two assists and one steal.
Old Dominion will be right back in action tomorrow afternoon against Rice in Houston, Texas. Tipoff is slated for 2:00 p.m. EST and the game will be broadcasted on ESPN+. Saturday's game will also air across the ODU Sports Radio Network, with Ted Alexander and Dave Twardzik's live pregame show beginning at 1:30 p.m. EST.
Get in the Game!
Old Dominion athletics is providing Monarch Nation two opportunities to be involved in the 2020-21 basketball season virtually, as the athletic department is creating a virtual ticket, presented by the Virginia Lottery, that will allow fans to win various prizes, as well as the opportunity to purchase fan cutouts to be placed in Chartway Arena throughout the 2020-21 season, brought to you by Chartway Federal Credit Union. Proceeds from the sale of fan cutouts and virtual tickets will assist with paying for student-athlete scholarships.
With the purchase of a $20 virtual ticket, fans will receive one Virginia Lottery digital scratcher with the possibility to win, among other things, two season tickets for all ODU sports in 2021-22, use of a Chartway Arena suite for a basketball game in 2021-22, a $500 Harris Teeter gift card, a $500 Under Armour shopping spree, free Papa John's pizza, or Moe's Bucks to Moe's Southwest Grill.
The "Monarch Cutouts", presented by Chartway, are available for $59 and will be placed in camera-view seats. The cutouts will be in attendance at all ODU men's and women's basketball games during the 2020-21 season. Be on the lookout during games because your Monarch Cutout could be featured on the game broadcast or ODU Basketball social media.
ODU’s Three-Game Win-Streak Snapped in 69-59 Loss at Rice
