Rodgers' 24 Points Not Enough as Drexel Falls at Bucknell, 81-75

Saturday, December 20

Lewisburg, PA.

5:00

Drexel University

Bucknell

Scott Rodgers had a career-high 24 points against Bucknell

Rodgers' 24 Points Not Enough as Drexel Falls at Bucknell, 81-75

12/20/2008 8:20:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Lewisburg, Pa. – Scott Rodgers and Gerald Colds combined for 45 points, but Bucknell defeated Drexel, 81-75, at the Sojka Pavilion. The game was tied with 1:37 to play, but Bucknell (3-6) went ahead for good and made six free throws in the closing seconds to defeat the Dragons (2-5).

Darryl Shazier drove the lane and scored to give the Bison a 73-71 lead with 1:30 left in the game. The Dragons tried to tie it on the next possession. Evan Neisler was fouled, but the junior made one of two free throws. On the next possession, Patrick Behan, who led the Bison with 22 points, hit a jump shot with the shot clock ticking down to make it a three-point lead. Drexel came down and Samme Givens was fouled, but again the Dragons made just one of two at the line. Bucknell's Justin Castleberry increased the lead to four point with a pair of free throws. The Bison iced the game with three Castleberry free throws after Drexel Head Coach Bruiser Flint was given a pair of technicals and was ejected. The Bison shot 59 percent from the floor in the second half, while the Dragons made just 14 of their 41 shots in the final stanza.

The Dragons had their best shooting half of the year in the first 20 minutes. Drexel shot 54 percent from the floor and made three three-pointers, including two by Tramayne Hawthorne. The Drexel lead increased to nine points with 5:03 to play when Scott Rodgers knocked down a trey to make it 26-17. Later in the half, Bucknell tried to cut into the lead. Jason Vegotsky was fouled on a three-point attempt with 8.4 seconds to play in the half. He made all three to cut the lead to five, but Hawthorne answered with a three-pointer with just two seconds to give Drexel a 35-27 lead at intermission.

Rodgers led the Dragons with a career-high 24 points. He was 9-for-19 from the floor and and made a pair of three-pointers. Colds also recorded a career-high with 21 points. Freshman Samme Givens scored nine points off the bench and led the team with nine rebounds.

The Dragons continue their road trip on Monday at Memphis. The Tigers are ranked 23rd in the nation. Tip-off is 1 p.m. Eastern time from the FedEx Forum.