Drexel University
Penn
Penn Downs Drexel at the Palestra, 68-49
11/21/2006 11:24:56 PM | Men's Basketball
Philadelphia – Drexel's two game winning streak came to an end at the hands of the Penn Quakers on Tuesday night at the Palestra, 68-49. The Dragons never led in the contest and shot just 33 percent from the floor as they fell to 2-1 on the season.
Penn opened up the second half with a 6-0 run to increase its lead to 11 points at 37-26. The Dragons were held off the board for more than four minutes to start the second half. Scott Rodgers (Philadelphia, Pa./Central) broke the drought with a jump shot at the 15:13 mark. Matt Stevenson (Towson, Md./Loch Raven) had a put back to cut the lead to seven, but Drexel would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way. The Dragons connected on only eight field goals in the second half and were just 1-for-11 from long range in the final 20 minutes.
Penn opened the game with a 17-4 run as Ibrahim Jaaber scored 10 of those points for the Quakers. Drexel went on a late run and got the lead down to two when Dominick Mejia (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern) nailed a three-pointer with just over two minutes to play in the first half. Penn took a 31-26 lead to the break.
Jaaber led four Quakers in double figures with 22 points, 16 of them coming in the first half. Mark Zoller had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. The Quakers shot 48 percent in the game and sank 16 of their 19 free throws. They also won the battle of the boards, 35-29.
Mejia led the Dragons with 10 points, all of them coming in the first half. Bashir Mason (Jersey City, N.J./St. Benedict's) added nine points, six assists and five steals. Chaz Crawford (Philadelphia, Pa./Hargrave Military Academy) led the team with eight rebounds and three blocks. Sophomore Tramayne Hawthorne (Steelton, Pa./Steelton-Highspire) chipped in with five points and four steals. Drexel forced 22 turnovers, but only scored 16 points off those opportunities.
Drexel is off until after the Thanksgiving break. The Dragons travel to Lawrenceville, N.J. to take on Rider on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. The game can be heard on WNTP 990 AM and on the web at drexeldragons.com.
