NORFOLK, Va. – Gannon dropped an exhibition game on Saturday afternoon at Division I Old Dominion University, 96-56, during its final tune-up before the start of the 2021-22 regular season on Monday, Nov. 15 against Ashland at the Hammermill Center.
 
Gannon trailed by just eight points at the half before a 20-percent second-half shooting performance allowed the Monarchs to take control. ODU shot nearly 55 percent from the field and held a 50-33 rebounding advantage in the victory. The home team also scored 21 points at the free throw line in the win.
 
The Golden Knights were led by a trio of double-figure scorers on Saturday afternoon, getting a team-high 18 points from Ike Herster (Sharon, Pa./Kennedy Catholic) and 16 from Braden Olsen (West Linn, Ore./West Linn). Both players made four 3-pointers. Lance-Amir Paul (Kingston, Jamaica/Putnam Science Academy) also reached double-figures with 10 points. Olsen and Demetrius Mims (Baltimore, Md./Baltimore Polytechnic Institute) each pulled down six rebounds to lead the Knights on the boards. Alonde LeGrand (Harlem, N.Y./Berkshire) passed out a team-high three assists.
 
Gannon shot 29 percent from the field in the game but managed far better in the first half at 38 percent. The Golden Knights held a 9-5 edge in 3-point field goals on the afternoon.
 
Six players reached double-figures for ODU, led by Kalu Ezikpe with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Charles Smith IV chipped in 15 points.
 
Old Dominion scored 46 points in the paint, had 20 points off turnovers, and dropped in 14 second-chance points.
 
The game had four lead changes and two ties early in the first half, with Gannon's final lead of the game coming at the 11:39 mark of the opening half.