NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — Georgia Southern built a commanding 17-point halftime lead and withstood a furious second-half surge by Old Dominion to secure a 93-86 victory in a Sun Belt Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at Constant Convocation Center.

The Eagles led 47-30 at halftime, but the Monarchs scored 56 points after intermission to close within single digits. Georgia Southern’s efficient offense, which posted a 117.4 rating, proved decisive. Alden Applewhite led the Eagles with 17 points. Ketron Shaw scored a game-high 23 points for Old Dominion.

Georgia Southern improved to 12-5. Old Dominion fell to 4-12 before an announced crowd of 4,665.