NORFOLK, Virginia – Louisiana Tech found itself in yet another close game on the road, but Old Dominion's go-ahead field goal with 18 seconds left handed the Bulldogs another narrow defeat in what was a 64-63 decision on Thursday night inside the Ted Constant Convocation Center.
 
LA Tech (13-6, 3-3 C-USA) faced even more adversity than usual.  Already down two starters, another starter – JaColby Pemberton – played through illness.  There was also a lot of foul trouble the 'Dogs had to deal with.
 
Despite all of that, the lead changed three times in the span of 22 seconds with the Bulldogs on top 63-62 and under a minute to play.  A dunk by Dajour Dickens was the fourth lead change, giving Old Dominion (13-5, 3-2 C-USA) the one-point edge. 
 
Amorie Archibald, who had the two big driving buckets during the late stretch, misfired on two three-point attempts unfortunately.  The last one came with 0.4 seconds left on a desperation attempt from the corner.
 
"The team really battled," said head coach Eric Konkol.  "They really wanted it and gave it everything they absolutely had.  We just fell a little bit short."
 
ODU jumped out to a 19-9 lead, its largest of the game. 
 
And every time LA Tech sliced the deficit down to one possession and were primed to take the lead for the first time, the Monarchs would counter with a made field goal (almost always a three-pointer).
 
"I thought we were anxious and took some quick shots," Konkol said.  "We fouled too much.  We turned it over.  I thought we were too anxious in trying to make things happen."
 
However, the Bulldogs found themselves down only 38-31 even though they had amassed nine first-half turnovers and only seven made shots.    
 
Down 47-39 with 14:31 to go in the second stanza, the 'Dogs would put together their best stretch of basketball over the next seven minutes. 
 
It was a stretch where they held ODU to just one made field goal while going on a 14-2 run and grabbing their first lead of the game at 53-49, nine of the points coming from Anthony Duruji.
 
"Our guys responded and really took control of the second half I thought," Konkol said.  "I thought we started to make some really good decisions off our penetration and throwbacks.  We got good shots."
 
The game was back-and-forth the rest of the way.  The Bulldogs had a chance at the road win thanks to outrebounding one of the best rebounding teams in the country, 40-31.  And also thanks to their free throw shooting, making 17-of-21, but it failed them towards the end by missing their last four.    
 
DaQuan Bracey reminded ODU fans how good he is (scored 21 points in the same building as a freshman).  On Thursday night, he scored 14 points to go along with seven assists and a career-high six rebounds.
 
Archibald and Duruji both finished with 16 points to lead the way as the team shot 39 percent from the field (20-52) with six three-pointers. 
 
ODU shot 45 percent from the field (26-58) and hit only five three-pointers, all of which came in the first half.  B.J. Stith anchored the Monarchs with a team-high 16 points and eight boards.
 
LA Tech will now head to Charlotte to take on the 49ers on Saturday, Jan. 19.  Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. CT.
 
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