Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Robert Morris
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Defense Propels Dragons to 56-40 Win Against Robert Morris
11/23/2007 5:35:40 PM | Men's Basketball
The Drexel defense held Robert Morris to less than 30 percent shooting from the floor as the Dragons defeated the Colonials, 56-40, in the Philly Hoop Group Classic. With the victory, the Dragons advanced to the championship game of the Liberty Bracket against Loyola (Md.) on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.
The Dragons (4-1) raced out to an early nine-point lead. They extended the margin with a 12-0 run, capped by five straight points from Tramayne Hawthorne (Steelton, Pa./Steelton-Highspire), that gave Drexel a 27-10 lead. The Colonials (2-2) were not able to cut the lead to less than 10 points the rest of the way, despite Drexel's struggles on offense. Drexel turned the ball over a season-high 26 times and made just nine of its 23 free throw attempts. The defense was the story once again for Drexel, who has yet to allow a team to shoot better than 40 percent from the field this season. Robert Morris, who entered the game averaging more than 90 points per game, shot just 1-for-16 from behind the arc and made only 37 percent of its free throws (7-19).
Despite the struggles from the charity stripe, Drexel did manage to make seven of 14 three-point attempts. Freshman Gerald Colds (New York, N.Y./St. Raymond's) led the Dragons with 14 points and was 3-for-4 from three-point territory. Hawthorne also hit three treys and added 11 points and five assists. Frank Elegar (Bronx, N.Y./St. Raymond's) was limited due to foul trouble, but did manage 10 rebounds and a career-best six blocked shots. Randy Oveneke has a season-high nine boards. No Colonial was able to reach double digits in scoring. A.J. Jackson and Mezie Nwigwe each scored seven points to lead the Colonials.
The Dragons contest against Loyola will be televised on CN8 Saturday afternoon following the Robert Morris game against Howard.
