Old Dominion Tops Western Michigan 61-49
Zacch Wiggins led Old Dominion with 25 points as the Monarchs opened the season with a win over Western Michigan.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Basketball
Old Dominion defeated Western Michigan 61-49 in Norfolk, Va., on Monday to open the season. Zacch Wiggins scored 25 points for the Monarchs, who improved to 1-0.
Why it matters
The season-opening win gives Old Dominion an early 1-0 mark while Western Michigan begins its campaign with a loss. Early results like this help set the tone for the conference race ahead.
Wiggins scored 25 points on 9-of-15 shooting and a perfect 7-of-8 from the line, while going 0-for-4 from beyond the arc. Benjamin recorded three steals and Jared Turner grabbed eight rebounds, though the source does not provide season-long comparison figures.
The players
Zacch Wiggins
Wiggins is an Old Dominion forward who led the Monarchs with 25 points in the season opener.
Old Dominion Monarchs
Old Dominion's men's basketball program competes in the Sun Belt Conference and is based in Norfolk, Virginia.
Western Michigan Broncos
Western Michigan's men's basketball program competes in the Mid-American Conference and is based in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The details
Old Dominion beat Western Michigan 61-49 in Norfolk, Va. Wiggins led the Monarchs in scoring, and Augustinas Kiudulas paced Western Michigan with 12 points.
Timeline
Monday: Old Dominion defeats Western Michigan 61-49 in its season opener.
Wednesday: Old Dominion hosts Regent at home.
Thursday: Western Michigan hosts Kalamazoo.
Season Trajectory
A 1-0 start gives Old Dominion an early positive mark in a season where every conference result will count toward postseason positioning. Western Michigan's opening loss puts the Broncos in a holding pattern as they look to find their footing before their next games.
Old Dominion's early 1-0 record helps it set the standings picture for the rest of its early schedule. Fans and fantasy managers tracking Wiggins can use his 25-point opener as a starting reference for his role.
The takeaway
A strong opening performance from a key scorer like Wiggins can set the tone for a team's early conference picture. Watching how a team handles its next home game can reveal whether a season-opening result was a one-off or a sign of consistency.
What happens next
Old Dominion hosts Regent on Wednesday, and Western Michigan hosts Kalamazoo on Thursday.
Further reading
Follow more coverage in our Basketball section for Norfolk-area programs and season updates.
