Old Dominion (4-10, 1-1 Sun Belt) vs. App State (8-6, 1-1 Sun Belt)
Game Info – Wednesday, Dec. 31 – 2 p.m.
Location – Chartway Arena (Norfolk, Va.)
Watch – ESPN+
Listen – ESPN Sports Radio 94.1 FM
Live Stats – Click Here
Social Media – Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
NORFOLK, Va. – Old Dominion men’s basketball has its final game of 2025 this Wednesday when the Monarchs host Sun Belt foe App State for a 2 p.m. game at Chartway Arena.
Scott Jackson and Billy Mann will cover the game on ESPN+ while Ted Alexander and Dennis Wolff can be heard on ESPN Sports Radio 94.1 FM. Live stats will also be available.
Series History
The two teams have previously met seven times, with App State ahead in the series, 4-3. After dropping a Jan. 16 game in Norfolk, 62-43 last season, the Monarchs returned the favor with a 78-77 victory on Jan. 29 in Boone, North Carolina. Sean Durugordon led all scorers with 25 points and Robert Davis Jr. contributed 19 points. Tied at 71-71 with 2:01 left, Caelum Swanton-Rodger scored a layup and the Monarchs converted 5-of-6 free throws in the final 31 seconds to clinch the victory.
ODU and App State met again on March 7 in the fourth round of the Sun Belt Conference Championship in Pensacola, Florida. The Monarchs secured their third-straight win in as many days, 61-56, as Durugordon netted 21 points with 12 rebounds and Davis Jr. finished with 18 points. A close game down the stretch, Durugordon scored six points in the final 1:49 to hold off a Mountaineer comeback.
About ODU
The Monarchs (4-10, 1-1 Sun Belt) were in College Park, Maryland this past Sunday and fell 73-58 to the Terrapins. ODU dug itself a 17-0 hole to start the game and used a late 11-0 run of its own to trim Maryland’s lead to 12 with 1:33 left, but that was as close as the Monarchs would get. KC Shaw scored 19 points and Zacch Wiggins had 14 points to lead Old Dominion in the loss.
Shaw continues to lead the team with 16.3 ppg, Jordan Battle is averaging 13.2 ppg, and LJ Thomas is third in scoring with 12.3 ppg. Battle and Davis Jr. (8.7 ppg) have both made 25 three-pointers and Jared Turner (5.7 ppg) is not far behind them with 22 makes from distance.
Battle enters Wednesday’s game ranked third in the conference in free-show shooting (86.5%) and owns team highs in rebounds (75), rebounds per game (5.4), assists (38), and steals (19). Thomas is up to 35 assists with 13 steals, and Swanton-Rodger is averaging 6.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. The senior from Calgary, Alberta, Canada ranks sixth in the Sun Belt in both blocks (19) and blocks per game (1.36).
ODU has been outscored by an average of 3.8 ppg, with the Monarchs netting 73.1 points while allowing 76.9 per contest. The team is shooting a combined 42.9% from the field, including 32.5% from beyond the arc, and 74.5% at the free-throw line. Old Dominion is fourth in the league in three-point percentage defense, holding opposing teams to 31.0% shooting from the perimeter.
Through games played on Dec. 29, the Monarchs are 247th in the NET rankings.
About App State
The Mountaineers (8-6, 1-1 Sun Belt) saw their four-game win streak snapped on Saturday, Dec. 20 as they suffered a 70-63 loss at home to Georgia State. Down 31-28 at halftime, App State was unable to catch the Panthers in the second half. Luke Wilson recorded a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double, Alonzo Dodd led the offense with 19 points, and Kasen Jennings chipped in 10 points.
App State also has three players averaging double figures: Jennings is the leading scorer at 15.4 ppg, Dodd is second with 12.4 ppg, and Wilson is third with 10.1 ppg. Jennings is the top threat from long range with 28 made threes, followed by Jalen Tot (5.6 ppg) with 21 triples and Dodd with 19. Dodd, a senior guard from St. Paul, Minnesota, is up to 45 assists, Eren Banks (7.4 ppg) has dished out 34 assists, and Jennings is third with 33 assists.
On defense, Jennings has grabbed 14 steals while Banks and Michael Marcus Jr. (6.2 ppg) are at 11 each. Wilson ranks third in the Sun Belt in blocks (23) and blocks per game (1.64). The redshirt sophomore center from Augusta, Georgia has also recorded the third-most double-doubles in the Sun Belt this season with four.
App State comes into Wednesday’s game ranked 20th nationally in field goal percentage defense (38.4%), 26th in three-point percentage defense (28.3%), and 33rd in scoring defense (65.9 ppg). The Mountaineers average 73.4 ppg and rank second in the Sun Belt in scoring margin (+7.5) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.30). They’re shooting 45.4% from the floor, 31.2% from deep, and 60.9% at the line.
The Mountaineers are led by head coach Dustin Kerns, who is in his seventh season with the program. App State was picked to finish seventh in the Sun Belt Preseason Coaches’ Poll with Banks earning a spot on the Preseason All-Sun Belt Second Team. The team is listed 243rd in the latest NET rankings.
App State went 17-14 overall last season, including 10-8 in conference play, and has seven returners with nine newcomers this season.
Up Next
The Monarchs will be back in action this Saturday when they host Georgia Southern following the conclusion of the ODU women’s basketball game against Georgia State, set for a 1 p.m. start at Chartway Arena. Tipoff for the men’s game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Season Sponsor
Bon Secours is the Presenting Sponsor of Old Dominion University’s 2025-26 Men’s Basketball Season. Bon Secours is proud to operate its four hospitals and medical centers in Hampton Roads and is even more proud to serve the surrounding community with exceptional care. It’s our mission at Bon Secours Hampton Roads to treat the whole person — mind, body and spirit, to bring compassion to health care, and to be good help to those in need. Bon Secours – the health care you deserve from a team you can trust.
SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Men's Basketball Season Tickets: Secure your spot for all 14 of ODU’s home games this season for just $215.
Women's Basketball Season Tickets: Enjoy every moment of Monarchs basketball with season tickets for $120 (adults), which includes access to all 15 home games.
Discounted season ticket rates are available for ODU Faculty & Staff, ODU Letterwinners, Young Alumni, Band & Spirit Parents and Military. Call for more information.
Mini-Plans: Want flexibility? Choose a mini-plan! Get tickets to six men's games starting at $120 or six women's games for $60 ($10 per game!).
Single-Game Tickets: Mark your calendar—single-game tickets will be available starting October 14.
Call the ODU Ticket Office at 757-683-3375 or online at odusports.com/tickets to secure your seats today!