GAME NOTES: Former Colonial Athletic Association rivals are set to square off Monday night at the Ted Constant Convocation Center, as the Old Dominion Monarchs host the William & Mary Tribe.

William & Mary is coming off Friday's 86-46 win over Division III school Washington College. The Tribe had lost their previous two games, both on the road and both by one possession. The team's only other loss this season came at then seventh-ranked Florida in the season opener.

Meanwhile, at 9-1, Old Dominion is off to its best start since 2004-05. The Monarchs notched their sixth consecutive victory Friday night against Maryland-Eastern Shore, 60-43. This is the fourth leg of the team's five-game homestand leading into the New Year.

ODU leads the all-time series by a commanding 66-19 margin. However, the Tribe have won the last three meetings, including a 74-68 decision over the Monarchs last season in Williamsburg.

The Tribe's victory over Washington College was No. 500 in the career of head coach Tony Shaver. His team scored the first eight points of the game and was never really threatened the rest of the way. William & Mary shot 53.6 percent from the floor, made 11-of-23 3-pointers (.478) and held a 50-31 rebounding advantage for the game. Marcus Thornton led the way with 20 points, Terry Tarpey tallied 15 points and six blocks, and Daniel Dixon finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double.

On the season, Thornton paces the Tribe with 19.0 points per game and is shooting 43.3 percent from beyond the arc. Omar Prewitt (10.3 ppg) and Dixon (10.1 ppg) are also averaging double figures. W&M is +11.7 in scoring margin and has limited foes to 38.1-percent shooting from the floor and only 58.9 ppg.

On the other side of the floor, ODU is headlined by Trey Freeman (16.3 ppg) and Aaron Bacote (10.0 ppg). Freeman and Bacote both have a penchant for getting to the charity stripe, and converting, as they have combined to knock down 88 percent of their free throws (75-of-85). The Monarchs are +9.8 in scoring margin and have held their opponents to 56.5 ppg.

ODU shot just 35.7 percent from the floor against UMES but held the Hawks to just six second-half field goals and only 17 points after halftime. The Monarchs also held a 38-27 rebounding advantage and forced twice as many turnovers (18) as they committed. Bacote and Jonathan Arledge shared team-high scoring honors with 12 points apiece.

The Tribe rebounded from their recent slide with a much needed victory, albeit against a D-III squad. They'll need to bring their "A-game" here if they hope to hang with the red-hot Monarchs.