Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Hofstra
Dragons Nipped by Hofstra in Overtime, 55-53
1/11/2007 10:41:06 PM | Men's Basketball
Philadelphia, Pa. - Hofstra scored the last seven points of overtime and held Drexel scoreless for the final 2:56 to defeat the Dragons, 55-53. Carlos Rivera sank a jumper with 36 seconds to play to give the Pride (12-4, 5-0) the victory and snap Drexel's 10-game winning streak. The Dragons are now 12-3 overall and 4-1 in CAA play.
Dominick Mejia (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern) sent the game into overtime when he sank all three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt with 13 seconds left. Hofstra had a chance to win it in regulation, but Loren Stokes jump shot, which was contested by Bashir Mason (Jersey City, N.J./St. Benedict's), bounced off the front rim.
Drexel raced out to an early 17-9 lead, but went cold at the end of the first half. The Dragons were held without a field goal for the final 13:32 of the first half and missed 15 straight shots to end the first 20 minutes. Despite shooting 23 percent in the half, the Dragons still managed to lead 21-20 at intermission.
Mejia led the Dragons with 21 points and also had eight boards. Mason added 13 points and four assists, while Chaz Crawford (Philadelphia, Pa./Hargrave Military) had 11 rebounds, his fifth straight game with at least 10 caroms. The Dragons shot a season-low 29 percent in the game.
Hofstra's Antoine Agudio finished with a game-high 26 points. He was 8-for-17 from the floor and had a pair of three pointers. Stokes added 13, but shot just 3-for-14 from the floor as he was harassed by Mason most of the night. Hofstra outrebounded Drexel, 42-35.
The Dragons return to action on Saturday afternoon when they face Old Dominion at the Constant Convocation Center. The Monarchs are tied for second place in the CAA with a 4-1 record and are 11-5 overall. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. and can be seen live on Comcast SportsNet. It can also be heard on WNTP 990 AM and on the web at drexeldragons.com.
