Old Dominion Monarchs

Monarchs' 3rd recruit brings size, mobility

"We like that fact that he can go fetch the ball," ODU coach Blaine Taylor said. "He's got legitimate size and mobility, and we're hoping to get him from 210 pounds to about 225 by the time next season starts. He fits our system and our program."

Taylor said Carter's signing, which comes more than a month after the spring signing period began, was so late in coming because of the Monarchs' postseason run, which ended in the NIT semifinals at Madison Square Garden the last week of March.  "With our extended season, we couldn't turn our attentions completely to completing our recruiting," Taylor said.

"And we were trying to find the right piece. While most guys lie a little about their height, this kid is a legitimate 6-8. He needs to learn how to defend and play in the paint better, but he's mobile and versatile."

Carter almost signed with Wofford last fall but said he backed out at the last moment to "let my senior season play out and see what other offers were out there."

"If Wofford would have signed him, they would have gotten a steal," Taylor said.

Carter joins 6-9 forward Gerald Lee of Korihait, Finland, and 6-2 Marsharee Neely from Greensboro, N.C., in completing ODU's incoming class.

Purnell, Smith earn honor from ODU

Purnell led the Monarchs to the postseason as a team captain and coach, leading the team in scoring during a 1975 run to the NCAA Division II national championship and coaching the 1991 Colonial Athletic Association champions. Purnell scored 1,090 points in his career, holds the single-game steals mark (eight) and led ODU to the postseason in each of his three years as coach.

Smith ranks among the top 20 all-time Division I leaders in career assists with 883 (7.4 per game) and was named honorable mention All-America in 1988. The Monarchs' all-time leader with 295 career steals, Smith came with Purnell to Clemson three years ago and has coached with Purnell for 16 years.

COL BKB: Old Dominion 70, Manhattan 66

NORFOLK, VA, United States (UPI) -- Valdas Vasylius made two free throws in the game`s closing seconds, helping Old Dominion claim a 70-66 victory over Manhattan in the second round of the NIT.

Vasylius had 7 points in Monday`s game -- all coming on free throws -- to allow the Old Dominion Monarchs improve to 23-9 on the year and advance to a third-round game Wednesday against Hofstra.

Old Dominion`s Alex Loughton led the way overall with 20 points and nine rebounds for the Monarchs. Arnaud Dahi chipped in with 13 points in the victory as well.

The Manhattan Jaspers (20-11) were paced by Jeff Xavier with 19 points and seven rebounds. Jason Wingate chipped in 18 points, five rebounds and four assists.

Colorado vs. Old Dominion

Hunter was 5-for-8 on 3-pointers and Armoud Dahi added 16 points for the Monarchs (22-9), which advance to Saturday's game against the winner of the game between Maryland and Manhattan.

Old Dominion was 31-for-41 on free throws and improved to 6-9 in NIT games.

Glean Eddy led fourth-seeded Colorado (20-10) with 14 points. Chris Copeland had 12 points for the Buffaloes, who lost their seventh NIT game in 15 appearance.

Colorado's leading scorer, Richard Roby, was limited to six points, all in the first half.

Colorado never led and tied the Monarchs only once at 17, nine minutes into the game on a Julius Ashby basket.

Dahi's two free throws put the Monarchs up 29-20 with 5:41 left in the first and with 12 points from Hunter led 33-29 at the break.

Northeastern 71, Old Dominion 63

RICHMOND, Va. -- Jose Juan Berea scored 20 points and Northeastern finished with a 17-3 run to beat Old Dominion 71-63 in the quarterfinals of the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament Saturday.

The No. 5 Huskies (19-10) will face top-seeded North Carolina-Wilmington in Sunday's semifinals.

The Monarchs (21-9), the defending CAA champion, missed their last seven field goal attempts as Northeastern broke open a close game in the final 4:32. Bobby Kelly scored seven and Aaron Davis had five during the decision 17-point spurt.

The Monarchs went ahead 62-59 behind an Alex Loughton jumper. A pair of free throws by Barea pulled the Huskies to within one, and a Davis 3-point play put Northeastern ahead for good.

Barea, the league's top scorer, added nine assists and two steals, and Kelly added 12 points.