Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Old Dominion
Dragons Fall to ODU, 74-67
1/26/2006 12:00:00 AM
Norfolk, Va.- Dominick Mejia (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern) scored a career-high 34 points but it wasn't enough as Old Dominion defeated Drexel, 74-67. ODU (15-5, 8-2 CAA) broke a 52-52 tie with an 11-0 run late in the second half and made eight of its 10 free throws in the final minute to snap Drexel's (12-9, 6-4 CAA) three-game winning streak.
Drexel scored the first basket of the second half to take a seven-point lead. The Monarchs rallied and went ahead just four minutes later. It was the first of seven lead changes in the second half. Arnaud Dahi and Alex Loughton combined to score 24 points in the second half to lead ODU. Mejia kept Drexel in the contest with 16 second- half points. He was the Dragons main offensive weapon in the final 20 minutes as the Dragons post players were all in foul trouble for most of the game.
Senior Kenell Sanchez (Camden, N.J./Bishop Eustace) had a solid game for Drexel, recording his first double-double of the season with 14 points and a season-high 10 rebounds. Bashir Mason (Jersey City, N.J./St. Benedict's) nailed a pair of three-pointers late in the game as Drexel tried to cut into the Monarchs' lead. The junior also handed out eight assists and committed just one turnover.
ODU shot 53 percent from the floor, the highest percentage for a Drexel opponent this season. The Drexel defense allowed more than 70 points for only the second time this season. Drexel shot 41 percent from the floor and made eight three-pointers, six of them by Mejia.
Drexel will host Hofstra University of Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. The game can be seen live on Comcast Sportsnet.
