championship Monday

So how do you see it going tonight, Hampton Roads?

Perimeter "pixie dust" or low-post power? The plucky underdog or the prohibitive pre-season favorite?

William and Mary or ODU, for the CAA tournament title?

The Tribe and Monarchs took different paths to get here Sunday, in a pair of scintillating semfinal games at the Richmond Coliseum. William and Mary hung on, squandering a 14-point lead against Northeastern. Unable to grab a defensive rebound, the Tribe survived seven shot attempts by the Huskies in the final 30 seconds.

David Schneider, who had not canned a shot all game, hit one to give W&M the lead with 37 seconds left.

It's been that type of year for the Tribe, picked 10th in the pre-season and seeking to break an NCAA tournament drought that dates back to the school's founding in 1693, when the field was admittedly a lot smaller.

"This team," coach Tony Shaver said. "Doesn't deserve the burdens of our past."

To shake those burdens, the Tribe will have to beat an ODU squad that shook off some ghosts itself, storming back to beat VCU in Richmond, no easy task, and one they'd failed to do here last season.

"We talked about how difficult our task was going to be and our kids really stood up to the challenge," coach Blaine Taylor said.

Gerald Lee stood tallest, scoring 26 points and keeping the Monarchs within striking distance until his teammates were able to provide some help in the final 8 minutes.

"He's been a real team guy almost to a fault. But when he was needed he stepped up," Taylor said.

So did Marsharee Neely, whose timely 3-pointer with under five minutes left gave ODU a spark. And Ben Finney, whose deep trey in overtime sealed the deal.

"A total team effort," Lee called it.

With another one tonight, ODU can claim its first CAA tournament title in five years.

-- Ed Miller

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