ATLANTA (Feb. 7) – Georgia State started the game with a 15-4 run, but Old Dominion started the second half with an 18-3 burst and that propelled the visiting Monarchs to a 68-55 win on Wednesday night at the Georgia State Sports Arena.
The host Panthers stormed out strong with center
Deven Dickerson scoring six of the 15 points as the Panthers while the defense held ODU without a bucket for a six minute-span. Georgia State led for the first 14 minutes until ODU got its first lead at 20-19 with 5:45 in the half. State regained the lead at 21-20, but ODU gained the lead and never lost it. ODU led at the half 29-26.
In the key second half start, ODU scored seven straight by its guards and when Drew Williamson hit a trey, the Monarchs led 39-27 at 17:20. The opening run continued to 47-29 at 13:54 on the clock. State had a 6-0 run and eventually closed to 66-55 at 2:10, but could not score the final two minutes as ODU won its sixth consecutive game.
Georgia State (8-16, 4-10) played without its leading scorer,
Lance Perique, who served a one-game team rules suspension.
Rashad Chase led with 12 points and eight rebounds, while
Leonard Mendez added 11 points and three assists while
Ryan McBride added 10 points.
Old Dominion (18-7, 11-3) had just one player in double figures with Brian Henderson's 11 points topping the 11 players who scored. Williamson had seven points and six assists, while Valdas Vasylius had six rebounds to lead the team.
Georgia State held a 39-31 rebound advantage, but the Panthers 16 turnovers led to 19 points for ODU.
“ You can't give a good team as many extra opportunities as we did with our turnovers,” said head coach Michael Perry. “I was pleased with our early effort and how hard we competed, but we have got to take better care of the basketball. We'll continue to work hard and prepare to win these final games to get ready for the tournament.”
The Panthers travel to Baltimore on Saturday afternoon for a 2 p.m. TV game (Comcast) with CAA rival Towson. State won the first meeting in overtime.
