JONESBORO, Ark. — For much of the 2025-26 season, the Old Dominion Monarchs have searched for a complete 40-minute performance where their defensive energy matched their offensive execution. On Wednesday night, they found it. In a tough road environment, ODU (7-15, 4-6 Sun Belt) secured a hard-fought 75-71 victory over an Arkansas State team (13-9, 5-5) that entered the night as one of the statistically strongest programs in the conference.
The win was more than just a notch in the win column; it was a demonstration of the growth this team has undergone since January began.
Dismantling the Defense: Precision Against Zone and Man
Arkansas State head coach Ryan Pannone noted after the game that his staff tried to keep ODU off-balance by shifting defensive looks on nearly every possession. Despite facing a constant rotation of zone and man schemes, the Monarchs executed with a level of poise and precision that has eluded them for most of this season.
The team recorded 19 assists on 28 made field goals, a clear indicator of a crisp offense that refused to get stagnant. Whether finding shooters on the perimeter or hitting big men on the block to break the zone, the Monarchs' decision-making was sharp.
KC Shaw’s Growth as a Playmaker
While KC Shaw has established himself as a premier scorer in the Sun Belt—fresh off a career-high 34 points against Troy—this game highlighted his ongoing evolution as a facilitator. Shaw finished with 16 points and 5 assists, consistently drawing the defense's attention and then finding the open man rather than forcing difficult looks. His ability to manage the game’s tempo in the final five minutes was a major factor in fending off the Red Wolves' late surge.
A Collective Offensive Evolution
The story of the night was not just individual brilliance, but the "connectedness" of the entire offensive unit. Jordan Battle’s standout performance—20 points on 5-of-8 shooting from deep—continues a trend of ODU’s offense clicking as the ball moves more.
Battle, who has now scored 20+ points six times this season, also contributed 6 assists, mirroring the unselfishness displayed by Shaw. Alongside them, Caelum Swanton-Rodger provided the necessary interior balance, finishing with 13 points and 9 rebounds, while LJ Thomas chipped in 11 points and matched Shaw with 5 boards.
The Standard of Defense
Perhaps the most encouraging takeaway for the Monarchs was their defensive discipline. Facing a Red Wolves offense that averages over 83 points per game, ODU held them to just 71 points on 41.7% shooting.
Forcing Turnovers: ODU forced 15 Arkansas State turnovers, translating those mistakes into crucial momentum shifts.
Rebounding Neutrality: While ASU won the total rebounding battle 42-33, the Monarchs’ ability to limit second-chance opportunities in the second half prevented the Red Wolves from ever taking the lead.
Paint Protection: Swanton-Rodger was the anchor, recording 2 blocks and altering several others to help ODU outscore ASU in the paint, 32-30.
Looking Ahead
With eight of their games this season decided by five points or less, the Monarchs have finally shown they can close out a quality opponent on the road. This victory provides a massive boost as they head into the final stretch of the season, currently sitting within striking distance of the middle of a tightly packed Sun Belt race and a crucial top 6 finish.