Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Penn
Drexels Comeback Bid Falls Short at Penn, 68-60
11/26/2005 12:00:00 AM
Drexel's second-half comeback came up short as the Dragons lost to Penn at the Palestra, 68-60. Drexel (3-3) trailed by as many as 19 points in the second half before mounting a run late in the contest. The Dragons went on an 8-0 run and held the Quakers (2-0)without a field goal in the final 5:22 of the game, but Penn sank seven of its 10 free throws in the final minute and a half to preserve the victory.
Penn opened the game with a 14-6 run and Drexel was never able to recover. The Dragons did not come closer than four points the rest of the way. When Penn's Brian Grandieri scored right before the buzzer, the Quakers went to the half ahead, 40-24. Drexel shot just 31 percent in the opening half and committed 10 turnovers.
Frank Elegar (Bronx, N.Y./St. Raymond's) led all scorers with career-highs of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Dominick Mejia (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern) had 14 points, while Kenell Sanchez (Camden, N.J./Bishop Eustace) chipped in with 11 points and Chaz Crawford (Philadelphia, Pa./Hargrave Military) added 10 rebounds.
Drexel outrebounded the Quakers, 45-37, and had 19 offensive boards, but shot just 34 percent from the floor in the contest.
The Dragons return to the Palestra on Tuesday night when they face Saint Joseph's in the first game of a doubleheader. The Drexel-Saint Joseph's game is at 6 p.m. with the Penn-Colorado game to follow at 8:30.
