In regional action against Great Lakes Valley Conference opponents, Varence put up monster numbers to help get ODU primed for conference games.
The Panthers toppled Maryville and battled UMSL into overtime as the senior produced 28 points per game and 13.5 rebounds.
Varence had double-doubles in each matchup and connected on over 67 percent of his shots from the field, including five three-point baskets made.
Varence was a one-man wrecking crew vs. UMSL as he poured on 30 points and had 16 boards. He played a team-high 39 points and was 9-for-15 from the field while also adding three blocks.
Varence missed just one of his 10 free throw tries and hit three shots beyond the arc.
He carried that momentum to Maryville with a 12-for-16 game that resulted in 26 points and 11 rebounds in a 24-point margin of victory for the Panthers. Varence did his damage in just 24 minutes on the court.
Five of his rebounds were of the offensive variety and he also chipped in four assists, one steal and one block. For the season, Varence is the league’s leading scorer (20.6 ppg) and is second in rebounding (10 rpg) and seventh in field goal percentage (.538).