NORFOLK, Va. (Interstat) — In a game defined by runs and resilience, the Old Dominion Monarchs overcame a double-digit second-half deficit to defeat the Ohio Bobcats 78-72 in a non-conference men’s basketball game Saturday at the Constant Convocation Center.

A crowd of 6,657 saw the Monarchs, who entered the game with an 8-17 record, snap a two-game skid and improve to 9-17. Ohio, which had won two straight, fell to 12-12.

The most critical sequence of the contest unfolded late in the second half, transforming a tight game into a decisive Old Dominion advantage. With just over eight minutes remaining and Ohio clinging to a 54-51 lead, the Monarchs unleashed a devastating 10-0 run in a span of just 68 seconds. The burst was fueled by precise execution and Ohio’s offensive stagnation.

It began when Jared Turner of Silver Spring, Maryland, sank a three-pointer off an assist from LJ Thomas to tie the game at 54. After an Ohio turnover, Turner connected on a mid-range jumper, again from a Thomas assist, to put Old Dominion ahead. Following an Ohio timeout, the Bobcats committed another turnover, which Thomas converted into a layup. Turner then capped the explosive run with another three-pointer, this time giving the Monarchs a 61-54 lead with 7:25 to play.

Ohio never recovered. The Bobcats, who had led by as many as 11 points in the first half and held a 42-38 edge at halftime, went scoreless for over three minutes during the pivotal run. Their offense, which had relied heavily on the three-pointer early, went cold when it mattered most, missing critical shots down the stretch while Old Dominion capitalized at the free-throw line.

The Monarchs sealed the victory at the charity stripe, making 16 of 18 free throws for the game, including several in the final minute. Ohio, by contrast, made just 10 of 15.

Old Dominion was led by a balanced scoring effort. Ketron Shaw, a guard from Charlotte, North Carolina, scored 17 points. Center Caelum Swanton-Rodger of Calgary, Canada, added 14 points and three blocks, controlling the paint for the Monarchs. LJ Thomas of Plant City, Florida, orchestrated the offense with 13 points and six assists, while Jordan Battle of Norfolk contributed 13 points and four assists.

For Ohio, guard Ajay Sheldon of Dublin, Ohio, led all scorers with 19 points. Forward Javan Simmons of Columbus scored 14 points, and reserve forward Jalen Breath of Tulsa, Oklahoma, provided a spark with 11 points in just 12 minutes. Guard Jackson Paveletzke of Kimberly, Wisconsin, dished out 11 assists but was limited to seven points on 2-of-9 shooting.

Statistically, the game was a tale of efficiency and mistakes. Ohio shot a higher percentage from three-point range, making 8 of 25 compared to Old Dominion’s 6 of 13, but the Monarchs dominated inside, outscoring the Bobcats 40-30 in the paint. Crucially, Old Dominion converted Ohio’s seven turnovers into 10 points, while the Bobcats managed only three points off six Monarch turnovers. Old Dominion also held a significant edge in fast-break points, 8-2.

The loss halted momentum for Ohio, which had been playing improved basketball with wins in three of its last four games. Old Dominion, mired in a difficult season, secured a hard-fought home victory by executing in the clutch and capitalizing on a game-changing run in the second half.

Ohio next plays at Miami (Ohio) on Feb. 14. Old Dominion hosts Marshall on Feb. 11.