NORFOLK, Va. – In the Conference USA home opener, the Old Dominion men's basketball team (6-3, 2-1 C-USA) took down Florida Atlantic (5-5, 0-1 C-USA) by a 71-67 score on Friday night at Chartway Arena.
After trailing by as many as nine in the first half, the Owls claimed a 43-42 advantage at the 18:50 mark of the second half. The Monarchs responded with an 18-8 run to take a 60-51 lead with 10:07 to play.
FAU continued to chip away, pulling within two, 69-67, with possession and a chance to tie or take the lead, but Malik Curry forced a turnover and then got fouled, sealing the deal with two made free throws with three seconds remaining in regulation.
Old Dominion was led by Austin Trice (17 points and four rebounds) and Xavier Green (16 points, six rebounds and four assists). Also in double-figures for the Monarchs was Malik Curry, who went for 13 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals. Jaylin Hunter chipped in nine points, while A.J. Oliver II finished with eight points.
For the contest, Old Dominion's bench outscored Florida's Atlantic's 29-8.
The Monarchs claimed a 40-37 lead at halftime lead by a balanced scoring attack: Green (nine points), Trice (nine points), Hunter (seven points), Curry (six points) and Oliver II (six points).
Old Dominion will be right back in action tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. EST against Florida Atlantic at Chartway Arena. Tipoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. EST and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
Saturday night's game will also air across the ODU Radio Network, with Ted Alexander and Billy Mann's live pregame show beginning at 6:30 p.m.
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.
Monarchs Outlast Florida Atlantic, 71-67
