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3/23/2009 - MEN'S BASKETBALL
Bruins Fall to Old Dominion in CIT Quarterfinals
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NORFOLK, VA - Old Dominion rallied to defeat Belmont in the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament Quarterfinals, 70-62, Monday night.
After earning their first postseason victory of the NCAA era last Wednesday night at Evansville, the Bruins confronted a tall order - literally and figuratively - in the tradition-rich Monarchs of the Colonial Athletic Association.
The game would pit Belmont's perimeter attack against Old Dominion's inside game.
Both teams came out uneasy on the offensive end, as tentative passes and tight shooting marked the first four minutes. Nevertheless, a straight-on three-pointer from senior Shane Dansby (Pegram, Tenn.) gave the Bruins an early 5-1 lead.
However, much like their opening round CIT game at Evansville, Belmont confronted early foul difficulties. Senior point guard and Atlantic Sun Player of the Year Alex Renfroe (Hermitage, Tenn.) picked up his second personal foul at the 16:33 mark of the first half, forcing him to the bench - the worst place imaginable for Bruin fans.
However, the Bruins scrapped and clawed their way forward, showcasing some of their best team defense and secondary help defense of the season.
After senior Andy Wicke (Hendersonville, Tenn.) hit consecutive three-pointers to give Belmont the lead, Old Dominion answered with seven straight points to seize a 16-11 lead with 9:06 in the half.
Following a Gerald Lee layin, freshman Jonny Rice (Naperville, Ill.), Renfroe and Dansby strung together three straight three-pointers to lift Belmont to a 24-18 edge.
Two free throws right before intermission by Renfroe carried the Bruins into the locker room up four, 34-30.
