PHILADELPHIA, PA. 1/7/2018 – The Drexel Dragons continued conference play facing the league leading Tribe of William and Mary, one of the best shooting teams in the country. Drexel matched them well on offense early in the game, but turnovers then cold shooting by the Dragons allowed the Tribe to post an 85 – 63 victory at the DAC. William & Mary improves to 4 – 0 in the CAA while Drexel drops to 1 – 3.
“They were in rhythm offensively, and when we turned it over it gave them life,” said Drexel Coach Zach Spiker.
The Dragons got out to a 28 – 18 lead halfway through the first half. Then turnovers limited their chances. Then a cold shooting spell allowed the Tribe to go out to a 19-point lead that was broken by a layup by Alihan Demir at the 10:27 mark of the second half. To that point Drexel made only 2 field goals in nearly 13 minutes.
For the game the Dragons made 25 of 60 field goal attempts (41.7%) but went 4 for 17 from beyond the arc, while the Tribe went 32 of 64 from the floor and made 45.5% (10 – 22) of their three-point shots. The Tribe is the top-ranked team in the nation in three-point shooting coming into this game making 46.3% from deep. They are third in field goal percentage, 52.2% prior to this contest. They nearly matched both totals. Drexel committed 11 turnovers leading to 21 William & Mary points.
“We were getting good looks early, but our turnovers led to quick baskets by them,” Spike said. “Their version of a layup is a wide open three, and they have the personnel to go up and shoot it, and they did that. It led to tougher shots on our end and it snowballed from there.”
Demir and Tramaine Isabell led the Dragons with 14 points each. Demir and Austin Willimas had a team-high 6 rebounds. Kurk Lee handed out 5 assists.
Forward Nathan Knight continued his double-double streak in the CAA to four consecutive games scoring 19 points and pulling down a game-best 13 rebounds. Guard David Cohn made 4 three’s and shot 10 of 14 to score a season-high tying 26 points to go along with a game-high 6 assists. Matt Milon added 13 points.
“They have four drillers on the floor and a guy that can score down low and pass it,” Spiker said about Knight and the Tribe offense. “It makes them a good basketball team.”
Drexel (7 – 10) travel to Newark to face arch-rival Delaware on Thursday trying to get back on track in league play.
“We’re into league play now and we will be on a Thursday / Saturday schedule the rest of the way out.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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