Feb. 12, 2003

Box Score |  Quotes

NORFOLK, VA -- The Old Dominion men's basketball team swept the season series with UNC-Wilmington as they downed the first place Seahawks, 71-68, Wednesday night at the Ted Constant Convocation Center.

The win, which snapped a three-game losing streak for the Monarchs, improves the team to 10-11 on the season and in 7-6 in the CAA. Old Dominion also halted the Seahawks three-game win streak as UNC-Wilmington falls to 15-6 overall and 9-3 in the conference.

Senior forward Richardo Marsh (Mebane, NC) recorded his fourth double-double of the year with his 22-point, 11-rebound effort. Both senior forward Rasheed Wright (Greensboro, NC) and freshman Alex Loughton (Perth, Australia) nearly recorded double-doubles as well. Wright poured in a game-high 23 points and hauled in eight rebounds, while Loughton registered 13 points and nine boards.

The Seahawks were led by Brett Blizzard with 19 points on 7-of-22 shooting from the floor. UNC-Wilmington starters center Graig Callahan and guard Anthony Terrell added 15 and 12 respectively in the loss.

Old Dominion had a six point edge, 67-61, with just over two minutes remaining, but the Seahawks took a 7-2 run to pull within one, 69-68, with 1:16 remaining, capped by Blizzard's third three-pointer of the night. Old Dominion looked to extend its one point advantage after calling a timeout, but Loughton turned the ball over with 47 seconds remaining, giving the Seahawks a chance to reclaim the lead.

Blizzard had a chance to put Wilmington up for the first time since the 6:31 mark, but missed his jumper and Marsh collected the rebound. The Seahawks fouled putting Old Dominon's Troy Nance (Va. Beach, VA) at the line for two shots with 23 seconds on the clock, but Nance missed both free throws as the Monarchs continued to cling to a one-point lead. Craig Callahan grabbed the second miss and Blizzard attempted to give the Seahawks the lead with 10 seconds left with a three at the top of the key, but the shot bounced off the back of the rim and into the hands of Marsh. Marsh was fouled and sunk both his free throws to seal with win as the clock expired.

In the first half, the Monarchs led by as much as seven in the early minutes. A bucket by Wright gave Old Dominion a 12-5 lead with 14:42 to go, but the Seahawks would proceed on a 13-2 run for a four-point, 18-14 advantage midway through the half. From there neither team would manage more than a two-point lead and Old Dominion entered the locker room with a one-point advantage, 27-26.

The Monarchs will return to action at Towson on Saturday, February 15th. Tip-off is at 4:00 p.m.