Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Rider
Dragons Rally to Defeat Rider, 73-66
12/27/2007 10:12:20 PM | Men's Basketball
Philadelphia, Pa.. – Tramayne Hawthorne (Steelton, Pa./Steelton-Highspire) nailed five three-pointers in the second half as Drexel rallied from a 10-point deficit early in the second half to defeat Rider, 73-66. The Dragons sank a three-pointer on three consecutive possessions, two by Hawthorne, to pull away from the Broncs (8-5).
The Dragons trailed by eight with just under 13 minutes to play after Justin Robinson sank a pair of free throws to make it 51-43. Sophomore Evan Neisler (Raleigh, N.C./Boston College) made a short jumper and Scott Rodgers (Philadelphia, Pa./Central) sank two free throws to start a 10-2 run that tied the game at 53-53. The teams exchanged baskets the next two possessions before Drexel took over. Gerald Colds (New York, N.Y./St. Raymond's) entered the game and immediately nailed a trey and Hawthorne followed it up with a pair of threes to put the Dragons ahead 67-60. Rider cut it to five on two occasions, but could not get any closer as Drexel won its second straight game.
Four Dragons scored in double figures for the first time this year. Colds had 14 points, including four three-pointers, in just 20 minutes of play. Rodgers added 13 and was 7-for-10 from the free throw line. Randy Oveneke (Antwerpen, Belgium/Saint-Anna College) chipped in with 10 points and was 5-for-6 from the floor. Frank Elegar (Bronx, N.Y./St. Raymond's) had nine points, a game-high 10 rebounds and three blocked shots. Hawthorne and Rodgers each had six rebounds and six assists as the Dragons controlled the boards, outrebounding the Broncs, 39-28.
Jason Thompson led Rider with 21 points and eight rebounds. Freshman Mike Ringgold added 14 points. The Broncs were held to just 36 percent shooting in the second half after making 55 percent of their shots in the first half as they took a 37-30 lead to intermission.
The Dragons will face cross-town foe Saint Joseph's at the Palestra on New Year's Eve. The game will begin at 6 p.m., after the conclusion of the women's game against American in the Palestra.
