Another day, another game: Can Monarchs stand success?

NORFOLK

Two games into the season, the Old Dominion men's basketball team already has experienced a range of emotions. The dejection of Saturday's lopsided loss to Northern Iowa gave way Monday to a feel-good win over Long Island.

All in the space of about 48 hours.

ODU has another quick turnaround tonight, when it hosts Howard at the Constant Center, part of an opening stretch of three games in five days in which the challenges are as much mental as physical.

"We've handled the down, and got back to an up, now how are we going to handle the up?" coach Blaine Taylor asked. "It'll really be a question of how mature we are, if we can take this third game in five days and recognize the importance of it."

The Monarchs grasped the importance of bouncing back from Saturday's loss, turning in a crisp effort that included breakout performances from several younger players.

With Kent Bazemore limited to 17 minutes because of a tender foot, redshirt freshman Dimitri Batten led the Monarchs with 16 points. Four players had three or more assists, led by Bazemore with five. It was a marked difference from Saturday, when ODU struggled to create good shots.

"We were just having fun, rotating the ball," Batten said. "Our chemistry is getting better every day."

Sophomore Anton Larsen's nine points Monday were not a new career high. He also had nine in a win over Maryland Eastern Shore last season.

But in terms of importance, they were a career best. Larsen's points vs. UMES came in a 42-point blowout. On Monday, the 7-footer from Denmark was on the floor during key stretches of the game.

"He played when it was important, he played when we had the game on the line, and we also had a situation where Chris Cooper had two fouls," Taylor said.

Howard comes in with a 1-1 record. The Bison fell to Bowling Green in the season opener Friday, and then defeated Washington Adventist on Monday night.

Howard has some local ties. Freshman Guard Sim Frazier, the team's second leading scorer, at 11 points per game, and sophomore Alphonso Leary are from Maury High. Guard Clinton Cuffee played at Green Run High. Coach Kevin Nickelberry was head coach at Hampton from 2006-09.

Ed Miller, (757) 446-2372, ed.miller@pilotonline.com