UPDATE: In a thrilling match just concluded, the Old Dominion Monarchs suffered a heart-wrenching loss to the Richmond Spiders, falling 86-77 in a heated in-state rivalry game held in Richmond on November 18, 2023. The late-game surge from Richmond proved insurmountable for Old Dominion, marking their fourth consecutive loss this season.
The game started off evenly matched, with Old Dominion holding a slim lead at halftime, 36-35. Both teams struggled to gain momentum early, but Richmond’s energy surged after the break, launching a 12-3 run to establish a 47-39 lead just four minutes into the second half.
Old Dominion fought back valiantly, tying the game at 56-56 with just over nine minutes left, thanks to a pivotal three-pointer from Robert Davis Jr.. The standout player for Old Dominion, Davis Jr. finished the game with 17 points, sinking five three-pointers in the process.
Other key contributors for the Monarchs included LJ Thomas with 19 points, KC Shaw scoring 17 points in his return from an ankle injury, and Jordan Battle adding 11 points. Shaw’s return was especially crucial for Old Dominion, as head coach Mike Jones noted, “(Shaw) provides a dynamic to our team because he is able to create by getting to the rim.”
The excitement peaked when the teams traded baskets to bring the score to 58-58 with just over eight minutes remaining. However, Richmond struck back fiercely with a decisive 10-0 run, regaining control of the game.
Despite trailing by double digits, Old Dominion clawed back to cut the deficit to just three points at 74-71 with under three minutes left. But a crucial block by Richmond’s Mike Walz led to a fast-break dunk by Jaden Daughtry, extending Richmond’s lead to 78-71 with less than a minute and a half to go.
Richmond maintained its lead down the stretch, ultimately sealing the victory. Head coach Mike Jones reflected on the game, stating, “Just a couple of plays here and there really killed us. Obviously, Richmond played well, but it was game-changing plays that shifted momentum.”
As Old Dominion grapples with this tough loss, they look to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming games. Fans are eager to see how the team will respond, especially with key players like Shaw back in action.
The Monarchs will need to focus on tightening their defense and capitalizing on offensive opportunities as they prepare for their next matchup. Stay tuned for updates on their journey as they aim to break this losing streak.
