ODU controls boards in road victory

Eagles handed first loss in conference

Ben Stanley scored a gamehigh 22 points, Tyreek ScottGrayson scored five of his 18 points in overtime and Old Dominion manhandled Georgia Southern on the boards in an 81-75 victory Saturday at W.S. Hanner Fieldhouse in Statesboro, Georgia.

The Monarchs (10-6, 2-2 Sun Belt) picked up their first conference road victory of the season and handed the Eagles (10-7, 3-1) their first league loss, dropping them into a tie with Southern Miss and Louisiana Monroe.

ODU outrebounded Georgia Southern 48-32, including 16-8 on the offensive end.

The game featured seven ties and 15 lead changes.

The Eagles led 34-32 at the half. The Monarchs tried to pull away early in the second half, taking a 42-36 lead at the 16-minute, 7-second mark and a 51-46 lead with 12:05 left, but Georgia Southern answered both times.

Kaden Archie hit a 3-pointer and layup, respectively, to put the Eagles up 65-64 with 2:13 left and 67-66 with 40 seconds left. He finished with 18 points to lead Georgia Southern. But Faizon Fields’ layup put ODU up 68-67 with 23 seconds left.

Scott-Grayson had a chance to give the Monarchs a threepoint lead with eight seconds left but made only 1 of 2 free throws to make it 69-67.

Jalen Finch then drove to the basket and drew a foul with two seconds left, sinking both free throws to send the game to OT.

ODU never trailed after ScottGrayson’s 3 made it 72-69 with 3:26 left in the extra period. The Monarchs went 4 of 6 from the line down the stretch.

ODU will host Coastal Carolina at 7 p.m. on Thursday.