Old Dominion locked up a berth in the CAA Final with a 77-69 victory over Hofstra in Richmond on Sunday.
Frank Hassell dropped 22 for the Monarchs as they improved to 26-6 on the year. Darius James added 16 points and Kent Bazemore scored 11 as ODU shot a tourney high 57 percent on the day.
ODU Coach Blaine Taylor described James' approach and impact:
"Darius has had to give himself to the team and be very unselfish, night after and night, and not get as many shots as he'd probably like. Tonight, the way the Red Sea parted — they were worried about our wings — he stepped right in there like Moses."
Hofstra reached the 3rd round for the first time in 5 seasons and had CAA player of the Year Charles Jenkins score 16 but could not keep ODU off the glass or out of the paint.
The Pride will likely have earned a spot in the NIT finishing their post season with a record of 21-11 and an RPI of 82.
Old Dominion will try to defend their CAA conference title vs. 4th seeded VCU Monday night at 7pm. The game will be televised on the ESPN family of networks. The Colonial, in all likelihood, will receive at least 2 bids into the NCAA Tournament but could get as many as 3 if VCU finds a way to secure the CAA Automatic birth with a win tomorrow.