Norfolk, Va. - The Virginia Wesleyan University men's basketball team faced off against Division I opponent Old Dominion University in a season opening exhibition. 

This is the third meeting between the two programs and has been the Marlins' best defensive game holding ODU to 71 points. The Marlins will face William Peace in their home opener on Wednesday, November 8, for a 7:00 p.m. start. 

The Monarchs started strong jumping out to a 7-0 run to start the game, the Marlins scored the first points off free throws and then went on a 5-4 run to cut the lead to 14-6. The Marlins chipped away at the host lead with tough defense and good rebounding which cut the lead to 23-19 with eight minutes left in the first half. The Marlins went into halftime down 40-26, shooting 10-31 from the field and 5-for-13 from beyond the arc. 

Virginia Wesleyan had the advantage in blocks with six, ODU recorded three, VWU had nine assists compared to the Monarch's seven, and ODU shot 13-for-16 from the charity stripe while the Marlins went 1-for-2. 

ODU pulled away in the second half and led by as many as 24 in the second half. The Marlins had a late surge and outscored the Monarchs 15-6. The Monarchs were victorious with a final score of 71-57.