Old Dominion men’s basketball coach Mike Jones lamented that the Monarchs were oh-so-close to getting over the hump after last week’s double-overtime loss to Troy.
On Wednesday, for at least a game, the Monarchs cleared the hump and shook off some disheartening losses in tight games.
Jordan Battle scored 20 points and made 5 of 8 3-point attempts and KC Shaw added 16 points and two late free throws in ODU’s 75-71 victory over Arkansas State at First National Bank Arena in Jonesboro.
The Monarchs (7-15, 4-6 Sun Belt) led for most of the game and held off a late charge against a Red Wolves team (13-9, 5-5) that was tied for seventh in the league but just a game out of second place. ODU’s close losses since the calendar turned to 2026 include setbacks at James Madison (one point), two vs. Georgia Southern (three points and six points) and last week’s double-OT heartbreaker against first-place Troy.
But on Wednesday, the Monarchs scored the game’s first six points and trailed only briefly — 20-19 with 8:49 left in the first half — and led 38-33 at halftime. ODU led by as many as 10 points.
Battle and Shaw led four Monarchs in double figures, followed by Caelum Swanton-Rodger (13 points) and LJ Thomas (11 points). Swanton-Rodger finished with nine rebounds and blocked two shots before fouling out in the closing minutes.
Battle, who sank a shot from half-court at the first-half buzzer, was 5 of 6 from the free-throw line and dished out six assists while committing just one turnover.
Arkansas State finished with a 42-33 edge on the boards and kept within striking distance by making 10 of 30 3-point attempts. Christian Harmon led the Red Wolves with 20 points, followed by TJ Caldwell (14 points) and Jalen Hampton (12 points).
Battle’s two free throws with 9:50 left gave ODU its largest lead at 57-47. Arkansas State battled back and tied it twice, at 61 and 63, but Thomas hit a jump shot, Battle buried a 3-pointer and Shaw hit a shot to put the Monarchs in front 70-64 with 2:05 left.
Shaw made four free throws, including a pair with 4 seconds left, to seal it.
ODU stays on the road for a 2 p.m. game Saturday at Texas State before returning home to Chartway Arena on Wednesday to face Louisiana Monroe.
