ODU digs out of another hole for win against Hofstra

NORFOLK

Hofstra has been losing close games in the Colonial Athletic Association. Old Dominion has made a recent habit of coming from behind to win them.

The reasons for that revealed themselves over 40 minutes of basketball Saturday afternoon in a 69-61 ODU victory at the Constant Center.

Hofstra blew into the arena like a Northeast wind, all effort and energy, but couldn't sustain its early hot shooting. ODU absorbed the Pride's best swings - falling behind by 13 just six minutes in and five at the half - and then regrouped to wear down the visitors in the second half.

The Monarchs improved to 10-8 overall, 5-1 in the CAA, after shaking off a double-digit deficit for the third time in their past four conference wins.

"Hopefully, we'll learn how to start a game so we won't have to dig out of these 10- or 12-point holes," guard Kent Bazemore said.

Such is ODU's lot right now as a team that's had all of its pieces in place for only about a month continues to evolve with roles shifting and players finding where they fit.

One recent change has been the installation of guard Donte Hill, who became eligible after the first semester, at the top of the Monarchs' zone defense. It's a move that's had a ripple effect, freeing up Bazemore to play on the wing and relieving some of the pressure on him to be an "everything guy," coach Blaine Taylor said.

The effectiveness of that zone basically turned the game Saturday. After making 44 percent of its shots in the first half, Hofstra hit just 27 percent in the second half. Guard Mike Moore, who poured in 19 in the first, had two in the second.

Bazemore and fellow wing defenders Trian Iliadis and Dimitri Batten had three steals apiece, diving into passing lanes to deflect balls or swipe them outright. Hofstra was hurried into 20 turnovers and had seven shots blocked.

For the Pride (6-12, 0-6 CAA) the miscues negated strong performances on the glass (a 37-32 rebounding edge) and at the foul line (18 of 21 free throws made).

"I thought if we outrebounded them, we'd win the game," coach Mo Cassara said. "I really did."

Hofstra might have, had it been able to care for the ball. ODU wouldn't allow it, though, and after a while, the Monarchs' shots began falling.

Iliadis led ODU with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Bazemore had 16, hitting on 7 of 14. Chris Cooper had 13.

The production of Iliadis and Cooper was technically filed under "bench points," although the seniors played starter's minutes - 26 and 31, respectively. It was an indication of ODU's superior depth that it is able to bring two of its better players off the bench.

Doing so has enabled the Monarchs to stay fresher over an entire game, Taylor said. Good thing, because ODU, which has shown that it's unlikely to run away from many teams, has already played a school-record-tying five overtime contests.

Saturday was yet another close one. Taylor had warned his players that Hofstra was better than its record indicated, having lost three conference games by two points or less. ODU learned firsthand.

"You hope for the best and you prepare for the worst, and for us the worst was, they were really ready," Taylor said.

ODU was ready with a response that kept it tied at the top of the CAA standings, with a sense that there's room for considerable improvement.

"We still think we can win this thing," Bazemore said. "If we take it a week at a time."

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