College Basketball 2011 Colonial Tournament

Richmond, VA -- The Old Dominion Monarchs (27-6, 15-4) played to their strengths in defeating their arch-rivals, the VCU Rams 70-65 In Richmond tonight. ODU senior forward Frank Hassell had 22 points, and the Monarchs as a team outrebounded VCU 34 to 21 The Rams came back from a large deficit in the second half to make the final score a close one, but ODU, predicted to be the CAA champions at season’s start, rebounded from a second-place regular season finish to claim the league’s auto bid.

Old Dominion’s Kent Bazemore had 14 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals, and reserve guard Trian Iliadis was 2-3 from deep to add 10 points. Bradford Burgess (19 points) and Jamie Skeen (18) led the Rams.

Following the game, ODU coach Blaine Taylor verbalized the swagger that he has imparted in his team. "Our game starts with defense, ends with offense, and in between we can board with the best of them," he said. "Actually, we are the best of them. Read More >>