NORFOLK, Va. — For the Old Dominion Monarchs, 2025 ended much like it has trended for weeks: with a slow start and a double-digit home loss. Appalachian State (9-6, 2-1 Sun Belt) led for 38 minutes of the contest, handing ODU (4-11, 1-2 Sun Belt) an 81-73 defeat at Chartway Arena.
Despite a late second-half surge that saw the Monarchs cut a 22-point deficit to single digits in the final minutes, the outcome was effectively decided in a nightmare first half for the hosts.
The First-Half Freeze
For the second consecutive game, ODU appeared completely unprepared for the opening tip. The Mountaineers jumped out to an early 9-2 lead and used an 11-0 run later in the half to stretch the advantage to 34-13. The Monarchs managed just six made field goals in the opening 20 minutes, limping into the locker room trailing 37-19.
Inside the Numbers
The Battle in the Paint: Appalachian State physically dominated the interior, outscoring ODU 46-24 in the paint. The Mountaineers also controlled the glass, winning the rebounding battle 43-28 and converting 13 offensive rebounds into 20 second-chance points.
ODU Key Performers: Jordan Battle was the standout for the Monarchs, finishing with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Caelum Swanton-Rodger provided a spark inside with a season-high 14 points, while Jared Turner (13 points) and KC Shaw (10 points) also reached double figures.
App State Leaders: Michael Marcus Jr. led the Mountaineers with a career-high double-double (20 points, 10 rebounds), while Jalen Tot provided 16 points off the bench, including four critical three-pointers.
Late Life, No Comeback
The Monarchs found their shooting stroke in the second half, scoring 54 points and connecting on 10-of-24 three-pointers for the game. Turner and Robert Davis Jr. hit back-to-back threes late to pull ODU within nine at 77-68, but the comeback bid stalled as App State closed the game out at the free-throw line.
The ODU Unfiltered Take
While the 54-point second half might look good in a vacuum, it was the ultimate "garbage time" illusion. Once again, Mike Jones’ squad looked shell-shocked at the start of a game, falling into a hole so deep that even a hot-shooting second half couldn’t dig them out. Allowing 20 second-chance points and 46 points in the paint is an indictment of the defensive discipline—or lack thereof—that has come to define this season.
Up Next: The Monarchs remain at home to host Georgia Southern on Saturday. With a 1-2 conference record and a 4-11 overall mark, the margin for error is gone.