Old Dominion didn’t win this one with a slow burn — it won it with a second-half blitz. The Monarchs poured in 49 points after halftime and pulled away from Louisiana Lafayette for an 83-72 victory Monday, Feb. 16, 2026, at TBD.

The game was tight at the break, with Old Dominion holding a 34-33 edge. Then the Monarchs hit the accelerator, winning the second half 49-39 and turning a one-point game into a comfortable finish.

Game flow: one-point margin, then separation

Louisiana did enough early to keep the pressure on, trailing by just one after scoring 33 in the first half. But Old Dominion’s post-halftime output — 49 points — changed the math of every possession. The Monarchs created the only meaningful swing of the night by stacking points in the second half and forcing Louisiana to play from behind for the stretch run.

Turning point: Old Dominion’s second-half burst

In a game that was essentially a coin flip through 20 minutes, the Monarchs’ second-half scoring jump was the separator. Old Dominion outpaced Louisiana by 10 after the break, and that margin matched the final gap. Louisiana’s 39-point second half kept it competitive on the scoreboard, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace with the Monarchs’ finishing kick.

What it means going forward

For Old Dominion, the win moves the Monarchs to 10-18 and reinforces a recent stretch of uneven but opportunistic results (WWLWL) with a clear blueprint: stay connected early, then win the second half with pace and execution. Louisiana Lafayette drops to 9-18, and despite entering with momentum (LLWWW), couldn’t sustain a 40-minute scoring race once Old Dominion’s offense found another gear.

Final score

Old Dominion 83, Louisiana Lafayette 72 — Old Dominion led 34-33 at halftime and won the second half 49-39.