The Monarchs would throw on their throwback uniforms for the second time this season for Alumni night as they welcomed in the UTEP Miners. The Monarchs looked to create more distance in the conference as they hold the number two spot heading into the ladder part of February.
The Monarchs got on top of the miners early with a 7-0 run forcing them to call a timeout with 17:25 remaining in the first half. Miners would find their first points with 11:40 left in the half, but the Monarchs still held the lead 12-2. Randy Haynes had more points with 9 then the whole Miners squad with 7 with still 7:41 left in the half, ODU was still leading 19-7. ODU would continue the beat down of the Miners heading into halftime with a 32-14 lead. Haynes led all scorers at the half with 13.
Both teams went into halftime to make critical adjustments, but ODU had no plans on letting their foot off the gas. With 11:27 left in the game Monarchs were up 54-28. This was possibly the best we have seen the Monarchs defense all season, and that says a lot since this team has been a defensive powerhouse all season.
The Miners would never lead in this game as ODU would go on multiple runs, they would close out the game going on a 15-0 run. Monarchs would grab their 21st win of the season by defeating the Miners 82-33. Randy Haynes led all scorers with 24 points. Ahmad Caver followed up with 18 points and 7 assists. True Freshman Marquis Godwin would have another nice game off the bench with 11 points, he would shoot 3-8 from three-point range.
With the conference tournament less than a month away the Monarchs are hitting a serious stride at the right time. The past two games we have not just seen the ODU solidify what we already knew about them defensively, but they have found their rhythm offensively. They will have to keep this going as they now have to go on the road against a tough Marshall team, then to follow that up they have to go to Western Kentucky who has already handed them defeat earlier this season.