Southern Miss mounts 18-point comeback vs Old Dominion
For a team with high expectations entering the season, Southern Miss has searched for a spark to regain momentum. On Saturday’s Senior Night, the Golden Eagles faced a 18-point deficit against Old Dominion with 3:35 remaining in the first half.
Then Isaac Taveras scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half, and Tylik Weeks and Israel Hart continued their offensive surge as Southern Miss defeated Old Dominion 86-81 at Reed Green Coliseum. It marked the fourth-largest comeback in program history.
Have a day. That’s 21 for Izzy 🔥@ThatKiddIzzy5 pic.twitter.com/2UBsTZQKVx
— Southern Miss MBB (@SouthernMissMBB) February 21, 2026
After Ketron Shaw hit two free throws to give the Monarchs (10-19, 6-10 Sun Belt) a 43-25 lead, the Golden Eagles (15-14, 8-8 Sun Belt) began chipping away at the deficit.
Hart scored eight points in the final three minutes, while Weeks added a fast-break layup with 24 seconds left to cut the deficit to 47-40 at halftime.
Weeks converted another layup off a Djahi Binet defensive board to tie the game at 50 three minutes into the second half.
After a back-and-fourth stretch, Tavares threw down a fast-break dunk following a steal from LJ Thomas to give Southern Miss the lead for good with 15:43 remaining.
GET UP 🚀
Southern Miss 54, ODU 52 pic.twitter.com/uNs7ME21au
— Southern Miss MBB (@SouthernMissMBB) February 21, 2026
No player recorded a double-double, but Binet and Taveras led the rebounding effort with nine and eight rebounds, respectively.
Old Dominion received a boost from its bench, outscoring Southern Miss 22-7 in bench points. Jared Turner led that effort with 12 points. However, Southern Miss’ post play provided decisive.
The Golden Eagles shot 23 of 39 in the paint (59%) and held Old Dominion to 36.7% on 30 attempts in the paint.
Shaw Led Old Dominion with 18 points, while Jordan Battle added 17.
GET UP 🚀
Southern Miss 54, ODU 52 pic.twitter.com/uNs7ME21au
— Southern Miss MBB (@SouthernMissMBB) February 21, 2026
The Golden Eagles closes the regular season with a two-game road swing, beginning Tuesday at Arkansas State. Old Dominion continues its season-ending road trip Tuesday at Marshall.
About The Author
