PHILADELPHIA, PA. 12/18/2017 – The Drexel Dragons had a quick turnaround from a tough loss on Saturday at Temple. No time to dwell, just concentrate on the task at hand which was a game with the Quinnipiac Bobcats. The Dragons showed the resiliency needed.
“We talked about taking a step after the Temple game,” said Drexel Coach Zach Spiker. “We took a step.”
A three-pointer by Kurk Lee with 2.4 seconds to play provided the winning points in the 72 – 71 victory at the DAC.
“I got the ball, kicked it to an open teammate, stepped in and he gave me a great pass, and I got an open shot,” Lee said in describing the play. “It was a great pass.”
The Bobcats are coached by Baker Dunleavy who spent the last seven years as an assistant at Villanova, and was part of the staff on the national championship team in 2016.
The Dragons led 37 – 36 at halftime, and the second half was basically a one possession affair throughout. Drexel took a 67 – 63 lead on a jumper by Tramaine Isabell with 3:07 on the clock. That would be their last field goal until the Lee-Three at the end.
The Bobcats clawed their way back and took the lead at 67 – 60 on a steal and layup by Isaiah Washington with 26 seconds to play. After a missed foul shot by the Bobcats Rich Kelly, the Dragons set up for the game-winner.
Quinnipiac had a last chance, but an open three by Kelly bounced off the front of the rim as the horn sounded.
“We’re learning and made a lot of plays at the end,” said Dunleavy. “We were just one play short. We’re just not quite there to come out and win that game. To win on the road you have to make consecutive tough plays, and we were one short.”
Drexel had a 46 – 28 edge in rebounds led by Austin Williams and Alihan Demir with 8 each. The offensive glass advantage was 17 – 5.
“We are going after the ball better,” said Spiker. “The numbers show we are doing a better job rebounding, and we are competing.”
Tramaine led Drexel with a team-high 23 points. Lee and Demir scored 14 each, and Sammy Mojica added 13.
Cameron Young had a game-high 24 points and Abdulai Bundu scored 17. Kelly had a game-best 7 assists.
The Dragons even their record at 6 – 6 and face Loyola before moving on to CAA play at Elon. They won a close one and are getting some resiliency to build upon.
“Our guys hung in there and competed until the final second,” Spiker said. “We had a lot of opportunities to hang our head. We didn’t do that.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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