Drexel Holds On The Second Spot In CAA Women’s Basketball Defeating Towson

Sarah Curran Becomes the 23rd Member of The Drexel 1,000 Point Club

PHILADELPHIA, PA. 2/19/2016 – The Drexel Dragons have been involved in close games with 7 of their last 8 games decided by an average of less than 4 points.  That experience can be helpful, and it is what the Dragons needed defeating the Towson Tigers 56 – 40 at the DAC in front of a crowd that included Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.

“”It helps especially in being a team of possessions, but I try to challenge them with an understanding that you come out aggressively,” said Drexel Coach Denise Dillon.  “I feel the experience can help you down the stretch, but I don’t feel we should be in that position.”

In the second quarter Drexel went cold from the field and allowed Towson to take a lead late.  Rachel Pearson made a three-pointer at the 4:09 mark.  Drexel did not score again until Carrie Alexander converted two free throws with 4.4 seconds remaining until intermission.  The Dragons were up 25 – 24.

The second half the Dragons came out with fire on defense and offense.  Drexel scored the first 11 points of the third quarter. Meghan Creighton made two three-pointers and Jessica Pellechio converted one form beyond the arc.  Jackie Schluth concluded the run with a short jumper to give the Dragons a 35 – 23 lead.  All the while Towson missed 4 shots and turned the ball over 3 times.  The Tigers would get no closer than 6 points the rest of the way.

“We came out in the third quarter more aggressively on both ends of the floor,” Dillon said.

Defense and three-point shooting is important for the success of Drexel this season.  On defense the Dragons held the Tigers to 34.1% shooting (15 of 44) from the floor, and forced 19 turnovers.  Drexel made 9 of 22 from distance.

“One thing coach stresses is defense,” said forward Sarah Curran.  “We have a number we focus on for every game, we can’t let them get more than this number (of points).  As long as we score more than that number, we’re good. She (Dillon) says defensive energy becomes offense.  If you can’t put the ball in the basket, but you get stops, you can still win the game.”

Sarah Curran Who Reached The 1,000 Point Milestone
Sarah Curran Who Reached The 1,000 Point Milestone

Curran scored 8 points to give her 1,001 career-points.  The highlighted points came on a layup with 4:18 to play. The possession started with a steal by the junior forward.

“It feels great, a personal achievement, and my teammates helped me all the way,” said Curran about reaching the plateau.  “It’s better to get the win, and I’m glad we got the win.  With this on top of it, everyone who came out to support me, I don’t have much to say except it feels good.”

“I’m excited for her,” said Dillon.  “She finally settled in.  I said to her ‘just play your game’ and it will happen. She did just that.  I’m happy for her and proud.  For her to do it in her junior year in a game where every shot matters is huge.”

Schulth scored a team-best 10 points, the only Dragon to score in double figures.  Eight of the nine players for Drexel scored.

Drexel improves to 14 – 11, but more importantly, 10 – 4 in conference and holds at least a tie for second place with Hofstra in the CAA.  The Dragons travel to Elon for a Sunday game.

The young Tigers are 6 – 19 this season and are 3 – 11 in conference.  Towson features two freshman players from Neumann-Goretti, Sianni Martin who scored 14 points, and A. J. Timbers who had a game-high 16.  Both players led the Tigers in scoring.  Kenny is a Neumann graduate who came to see athletes from his alma mater, a Drexel game, and Curran reach a milestone.

“It was really awesome,” Curran said.

Boxscore

Written By: Glenn Papazian

Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com

 

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