The Old Dominion University Monarchs (16-11, 11-4) fell 68-64 to the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams (22-5, 13-2) at the Ted Constant Center on Saturday, Feb. 11. The game was a heart breaker for the 8,472 fans in attendance as they watched the rival Rams sweep the season series with the Monarchs.
“The Ted Constant Center looked like a million bucks today with all of those people in there,” ODU head coach Blaine Taylor said. “We’ve just had great attendance all year long, so thanks to the fans.”
ODU had a hot hand to start the game as the Monarchs hit their first five field goals to give them a 13-7 lead over the Rams. The Monarchs kept the pressure on the Rams through the start of the half and built up a 12 point lead with 7:21 to go.
However, VCU responded with a 10-0 run in the next 56 seconds and cut ODU’s lead to two. The Monarchs managed to keep the lead going into the half at 36-33, but the Rams were right on their heels.
Redshirt junior Forward Nick Wright played a great first half, hitting four of his six shots from the field and led the Monarchs with 10 first half points. On the other side of the floor, senior guard Bradford Burgess was lighting up the Monarchs, hitting three three-pointers on his way to 13 points. “I think he’s done a great job leading us all year,” VCU head coach Shaka Smart said.
The second half was a disaster for the Monarchs, who missed their first 19 shots from the field. “We just have to put the ball in the basket at the end of the day,” redshirt senior guard Kent Bazemore said.
The frustration was also felt by coach Taylor who picked up a technical foul when he had a word with a referee after feeling the game was getting a little too physical. “I don’t get technical’s so you know if I do, somebody should probably do some soul searching,” coach Taylor said.
The Rams went on a 12-2 run to open the second half before ODU hit their first field goal. The poor shooting from the Monarchs gave the Rams a 45-38 lead before sophomore guard Donte Hill finally hit a layup with 9:23 remaining. “We weren’t necessarily getting great shots, but we knew if we kept running and executing, we’d eventually get good shots and they would start falling for us,” Hill said.
The Monarchs fought their way back into the game and took the lead 56-54 with 2:31 left in the game after Bazemore sank a couple of free throws. It was simply not meant to be for the Monarchs though as Burgess sank a three-pointer to tie the game up at 61 with 52 seconds to go.
Burgess then stole the ball from Bazemore and delivered it to junior guard Darius Theus, who hit a layup and was fouled. Theus sank the free throw to convert on the three point play, giving the Rams a 64-61 lead at the 30 second mark. That lead proved to be too much for the Monarchs to overcome in so little time as they fell to the Rams 68-64.
The Monarchs lost, but surprisingly beat the Rams in rebounds, steals and blocks. “Where they gained ground was when the ball rolled off their hands at the free throw line and at the three point line,” coach Taylor said.
Burgess was a big part of those free throws and three pointers. He made seven of his eight free throws and added five three-pointers and put up a total of 24 points in the game. “I think some of the plays he made were difference makers,” coach Taylor said.
The Rams may have swept the Monarchs in the regular season, but there is a good chance that these two teams will meet again in the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament which begins on March 2. Until then though, Coach Taylor says the Rams have, “bragging rights.”
Ben Decowski
Senior Writer
Photo: Elaina Ellis
