WILLIAMSBURG, Va. -- Marcus Thornton scored 21 points as William & Mary pulled away late to beat Old Dominion 71-62 in the Colonial Athletic Association opener for both teams.

Tim Rusthoven and Brandon Britt scored 15 points apiece for William & Mary (4-3, 1-0).

Trailing at halftime 32-31, Old Dominion (1-6, 0-1) recaptured the lead 40-38 on Deshawn Painter's jumper with 16:08 remaining in the second half. Brandon Britt answered for William & Mary on the next possession with a layup to tie it at 40.

The Tribe went on a 23-8 run over the next 12 minutes to break open the game, capped by Britts' layup making it 63-48 with 4:52 left to play.

Old Dominion would cut the lead to nine, 66-57 on Nick Wright's 3 with fewer than three minutes left, but William & Mary would go 5 for 7 down the stretch to seal the victory.