Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Cal State Northridge
Late Run Gives Drexel a 55-47 Win Over Cal State Northridge
12/1/2008 10:25:20 PM | Men's Basketball
Philadelphia, Pa. – Drexel rallied from a seven-point deficit in the second half, closed the game with a 10-2 run and defeated Cal State Northridge, 55-47. Scott Rodgers had eight of his 13 points during that stretch as the Dragons improved to 2-1 on the season.
The Dragons' defense came up big in the game's final minutes. Cal State Northridge (1-4) tied the game at 45-45 with 5:40 to play on a Vincent Cordell tip in. Drexel scored the next eight points and held the Matadors off the board for a stretch of more than five minutes. Rodgers started the run with a steal and a breakaway dunk. Northridge finally broke the drought with 12 seconds to play, but it was too late as the Dragons converted their final six free throw attempts.
After a first half which featured very little offense, Northridge came out on fire in the second half. The Matadors raced to a seven point lead after a Tremaine Townsend jumper made it 36-29. Drexel answered with a 9-0 run of its own keyed by a pair of three-pointers by Gerald Colds.
Drexel went to the break ahead 22-21, despite shooting just 23 percent form the floor and 7-for-13 from the line. Tramayne Hawthorne had eight points in the half. Northridge shot just 29 percent in the half and committed nine first half turnovers. The Matadors finished with 19 miscues on the night.
Rodgers and Colds finished with game-highs of 13 points. Kenny Tribbett grabbed a career-high nine rebounds, including five on the offensive end. He also swatted away three shots. As a team, Drexel outrebounded the Matadors, 44-35, and grabbed 19 offensive rebounds, which helped make up for its 29 percent shooting in the game. Matthew Wallace led the Matadors with 12 points, while Deon Tresvant added 11 points. Willie Galick added eight points, six rebounds and three steals.
The Dragons play their first Colonial Athletic Association game on Saturday afternoon. George Mason makes a visit to the DAC for a 4:30 p.m. game. The game can be seen live on CN8.
