Norfolk, VA (Sports Network) - Jonathan Lee made good on four straight free
throws in the final 10 seconds of overtime as the Northeastern Huskies held on
to defeat the Old Dominion Monarchs, 79-74, in a Colonial Athletic Association
battle at the Convocation Center.
Lee finished with 19 points and seven rebounds for the Huskies (16-8, 11-1
CAA) who continue to lead the league standings. Joel Smith accounted for a
game-high 27 points as he made all but one of his 13 free throws, although
that one miss was critical late in regulation. Quincy Ford added 13 points and
eight rebounds and David Walker 11 points as the Huskies won their third
straight outing.
The Monarchs (3-21, 1-11), now under the direction of interim head coach Jim
Corrigan who took over earlier in the week for Blaine Taylor who was let go,
were led by Dimitri Batten who tallied a career-high 25 points off the bench,
although he shot just 1-of-10 beyond the arc on the day. DeShawn Painter
logged a double-double with 15 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, followed by
Nick Wright with 10 points in a reserve role.
Northeastern led for much of the first half as it held the Monarchs to only 1-
of-11 shooting beyond the arc in the period, en route to a 28-25 advantage at
the break.
With the score 65-62 following a pair of free throws by Smith, ODU appeared to
have tied the game with 7.6 seconds left on a 3-pointer by Batten from the
right wing, but after a video review it was declared only a two-point basket,
leaving the hosts trailing by one.
Smith was subsequently fouled on the ensuing inbounds pass, but this time he
missed the first of his two free throws before sinking the second to give
Northeastern the 66-64 advantage.
Painter tied the game at 66-66 on a layup with 0.3 seconds remaining, giving
the Huskies one last chance to claim victory in regulation, However, the
visitors threw the ball the length of the floor and it sailed out of bounds
without being touched, giving the ball back to the Monarchs under their own
basket.
ODU had one more shot at the rim, but the pass into the key was deflected,
sending the contest into overtime.
In the extra session Northeastern was a perfect 10-of-10 at the charity
stripe, finishing the day 25-of-29 at the line as it picked up the win.
GAME NOTES:
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