Monarchs Capture First CollegeInsider.com Tournament Championship

Old Dominion University defeated the Bradley Braves 66-62 to win the title of the inaugural CollegeInsider.com Tournament Tuesday night before a crowd of 8,118 at Carver Arena in Peoria, Ill.

It is anticipated that the victorious Monarchs will arrive on campus today, via bus from the airport, between 1:15 and 1:30 p.m. at the Ted Constant Convocation Center (45th Street side). The campus community is invited to come out to welcome them back.

Frank Hassell led the way for ODU with 18 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, while Marsharee Neely contributed 16 points and Gerald Lee chipped in with 13.

ODU (25-10), which fell behind by nine points in the first half, closed the gap thanks to Hassell's shooting and rebounding, and left the floor at halftime tied with the Braves at 28.

Hassell, who played despite wearing a light cast to protect a stress fracture in his right leg, was named the game's most valuable player (pictured right). He, along with Neely and Lee, were named to the all-tournament team.

The Monarchs ended their season in strong fashion, winning 14 of their final 16 games. Tuesday night's victory marked the fourth time in five years that coach Blaine Taylor's ODU teams have won 24 or more games.

Jonathan Adams, the only senior on the team, set a new ODU record by playing in his 135th career game. The previous mark was 134, set by Brian Henderson last season.