In front of an enthusiastic crowd exceeding 6,600 fans, the Old Dominion men’s basketball team delivered a compelling performance, securing a decisive 74-52 victory against conference foe Coastal Carolina. This triumph marked the end of a three-game losing streak on their home court.
After experiencing a challenging defeat in the ‘Royal Rivalry’ James Madison earlier in the week, ODU approached the game with renewed determination on Saturday night. With this win, their overall record improves to 9-12 and their Sun Belt Conference record stands at 5-4, placing them two games behind the conference leader. Conversely, Coastal Carolina’s record declines to 8-13 overall and 1-8 in conference play.
The initial phase of the game showcased a high level of energy as both teams exchanged baskets. Following a jumper by Coastal Carolina’s Jordan Battle that brought the score to 8-6 in favor of ODU, Robert Davis Jr. demonstrated remarkable performance by contributing three jumpers and a three-pointer, helping ODU to extend their lead to 12 points.
With the score at 20-8, ODU exerted considerable effort, drawing fouls that led to six free-throw attempts prior to halftime. Despite Battle concluding the half with a three-pointer, the Monarchs maintained a significant 39-18 lead as they proceeded to the locker room.
After halftime, ODU continued to build momentum, with Donovan Raymond and Davis Jr. alternating in providing assists and scoring through jumpers. At the midway point of the second half, ODU held a commanding 58-32 advantage, and the game concluded with a 22-point margin of victory.
ODU exhibited impressive shooting, achieving 49% from the field (31-63), while Coastal Carolina demonstrated a stronger performance from beyond the arc with a shooting percentage of 28% (6-25). The Monarchs’ defensive prowess was evident, as they recorded five steals, five blocks, 31 defensive rebounds, and scored 10 points off turnovers.
Davis Jr. emerged as ODU’s leading scorer, contributing 23 points along with five assists. Sean Durugordon followed closely with 14 points and eight defensive rebounds. Coastal Carolina had three players score in double digits: Battle, Joshua Meo, and Noah Amenhauser, with respective contributions of 15, 12, and 10 points.
Old Dominion University will next travel to North Carolina to compete against Appalachian State University on Wednesday, January 29. Historically, the Mountaineers hold a 4-1 advantage over the Monarchs, although they are 1-1 when competing at home.
