Loughton's Three Lifts Old Dominion Over East Carolina
December 12, 2004 | Men's Basketball
There were eight lead changes during the second half with the final one coming with 0:16.9 seconds remaining on Loughton's shot. East Carolina (4-4) overcame a three-point deficit with 4:20 remaining on a layup by Mike Cook and a pair of free throws by Corey Rouse to take the lead. Rouse's foul shots accounted for his only two points of the game, but gave the Pirates' a 49-48 advantage with 1:29 remaining. Old Dominion (8-1) was unable to convert on its ensuing possession and then sent sophomore Japhet McNeil to the line with 0:24.9 seconds left.
McNeil converted the front end of a one-and-one free throw opportunity, but missed the second. The Monarchs grabbed the rebound and Loughton, who finished with 10 points, scored to give ODU the lead. Cook's shot in the lane as time wound off the clock missed, but went out of bounds off ODU with 0:01.1 second left. ECU was unable to get a final shot off.
Both teams struggled offensively as neither shot better than 40 percent from the floor, but it was the Monarchs' offense that capitalized on East Carolina's turnovers, scoring 13 points off Pirate miscues, while ECU scored just six points off turnovers.
Cook led all scorers with 16 points, while Valdas Vasylius scored a team-high 14 points for Old Dominion.
McNeil contributed a season-high 10 points and grabbed a career-high seven rebounds for ECU. Rouse also posted a career-high in rebounding with 14 boards. Senior Moussa Badiane scored just four points, but did block one shot to move into a second-place tie with Gerrick Morris on the Conference USA career blocked shots list with 263.
The Pirates return to action on Friday, December 17 against Winthrop. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 o'clock inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum.
