Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Vermont
Defense Leads Drexel to 59-46 Win at Vermont
11/18/2006 5:19:22 PM | Men's Basketball
Burlington, Vt. – The Drexel defense once again proved to be the difference as the Dragons defeated Vermont, 59-46. Chaz Crawford (Philadelphia, Pa./Hargrave Military Academy) had an outstanding day defensively. The senior swatted eight shots, grabbed seven rebounds and had five steals as Drexel forced 20 Catamount turnovers. The Dragons, who are now 2-0 on the season, also held Vermont to less than 25 percent shooting from the floor.
In addition to the defensive effort, the Dragons got a strong performance from their bench. Sophomore Tramayne Hawthorne (Steelton, Pa./Steelton-Highspire) led a balanced scoring attack with 10 points and hit a pair of three-pointers. Randy Oveneke (Antwerepen, Belgium) came off the pine to chip in with eight points and four rebounds.
The Drexel offense got off to a slow start as Vermont opened up a 14-7 lead midway through the first half. The Dragons then scored the next six points of the game and eventually took a 23-21 lead when Kenny Tribbett (Berlin, N.J./Chester) scored on a lay-up. On the next possession Randy Oveneke scored on a feed from Bashir Mason (Jersey City, N.J./St. Benedict's) and was fouled. Oveneke made the free throw and the Dragons never trailed again.
Mason had a solid all-around performance. He played well defensively on Vermont's Mike Trimboli, the team's top scorer. Trimboli was held to just seven points. Mason also scored eight points, picked up five steals and handed out four assists.
Scott Rodgers (Philadelphia, Pa./Centra) chipped in with nine points, including five in the second half on a steal and a three-pointer. Dominick Mejia (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern) and Frank Elegar (Bronx, N.Y./St. Raymond's each managed eight point, and Mejia led the club with nine rebounds.
Drexel faces Penn at the Palestra on Tuesday night at 8 p.m. The game can be seen live on CN8 and can be heard on WNTP 990 AM and on the web at drexeldragons.com.
