Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
UNC Wilmington
Dragons Shoot Past Seahawks, 71-59, in Wilmington
2/18/2007 3:06:40 PM | Women's Basketball
Wilmington, N.C. - Drexel drained a season-high 13 three-pointers led by freshman Alison Lupariello's 5-for-7 shooting from deep to blow past UNC Wilmington, 71-59, completing a regular-season sweep of the Seahawks (7-18, 3-11 CAA). Drexel jumped out to a 31-11 lead with eight minutes left in the first half, led by Gabriela Marginean who scored 10 points in the first half. The Dragons (7-19, 2-13 CAA) pushed the lead to 22 points in the second half and held on for their second win ever in Wilmington, N.C.
Drexel opened the game with a 20-9 run capped by a Lupariello three-pointer wtih 11:58 on the clock. Marginean scored 10 of her 12 points in the first 10 minutes of the game. Drexel pushed the lead to 31-11 by the eight-minute mark and finished the half with eight three pointers while shooting 44 percent from the floor. The Dragons' 36-27 lead at the break was the largest halftime lead for the team this season.
In the second half UNC Wilmington closed the score to 36-31 in the opening minutes, but Anora Suber hit a three from the wing to swing the momentum back in Drexel's favor. Suber was one of four Dragons who finished in double figures. Anora and Narissa Suber combined to score 25 points and knock down seven three-pointers.
The Seahawks saw an opportunity to come back when Marginean picked up her fourth foul at the 14:27 mark in the second half. Drexel held a 43-33 lead at the time when Marginean took a seat. Lupariello stepped up in Marginean's absence, however, knocking down two three-pointers and hitting a layup in transition to give Drexel a comfortable 60-41 lead by the time Marginean returned to the game.
UNC Wilmington pressured the Dragons for the last seven minutes and forced turnovers that resulted in an 18-9 run. But Andrea Peterson steadied the team by knocking down four free throws in the final minute to close out the contest. The win marked Drexel's second sweep of a season series against the Seahawks, the last time the Dragons pulled off the feat was during the 2004-05 season.
Senior Lori Drake turned in a superlative effort for the Seahawks, scoring a career-high 26 points on 11-for-15 shooting from the floor. She also led UNC Wilmington with seven rebounds. Sahsha Taylor was the only other player to reach double figures for the Seahawks, with 13 points on 6-for-15 shooting.
Drexel's 12-point win was the team's largest margin of victory this season and it moved the team into a tie for 11th place in the Colonial Athletic Association with George Mason. Drexel returns home to face Northeastern on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7:00 p.m.
