BREAKING: Old Dominion University (ODU) suffered a crushing loss to the Richmond Spiders, falling 86-77 in a thrilling in-state matchup on November 25, 2023. The Monarchs fought hard but could not overcome Richmond’s explosive late-game performance, marking their seventh loss of the season.
The game opened with both teams evenly matched, as ODU entered halftime with a slim 36-35 lead. However, the second half saw Richmond surge ahead, quickly establishing a 47-39 advantage thanks to a powerful 12-3 run just four minutes into the period.
Old Dominion rallied back, tying the game at 56-56 with 9:07 remaining, largely due to a key three-pointer from standout player Robert Davis Jr., who finished with 17 points and five three-pointers in the contest. Other notable performances included LJ Thomas with 19 points, KC Shaw contributing 17 points, and Jordan Battle adding 11 points.
Shaw’s return from an ankle injury was particularly significant for the Monarchs. Coach Mike Jones praised Shaw’s impact, stating, “(Shaw) provides a dynamic to our team…having him back and getting him closer to 100%, that’s one of the reasons why I’m so excited for what we will be.”
Despite ODU’s efforts, Richmond responded with a decisive 10-0 run that shifted momentum. With just under 2:17 left on the clock, ODU narrowed the deficit to three points at 74-71. However, a critical block by Richmond’s Mike Walz led to a fast-break dunk by Jaden Daughtry, extending Richmond’s lead to 78-71 and sealing ODU’s fate.
Jones reflected on the game, noting, “Just a couple of plays here and there really killed us.” The loss extends ODU’s losing streak to four games, raising concerns about the team’s trajectory for the remainder of the season.
With this defeat, ODU must regroup quickly as they prepare for their next challenge. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how the Monarchs respond in their upcoming games, seeking to break this troubling streak and regain their competitive edge.
