Drexel University Athletics
Drexel University
Memphis
No. 23 Memphis Defeats Drexel
12/22/2008 4:33:50 PM | Men's Basketball
Memphis, Tenn. – The 23rd-ranked Memphis Tigers went on a 14-0 run midway through the first half and defeated Drexel at the FedEx Forum, 87-49. Tramayne Hawthorne led the Dragons with a career-high 26 points.
The Dragons (2-6) rebounded from a tough first half and played better early in the second half, but the Tigers again went on a run that put the game away. Memphis scored 13 straight points and held the Dragons without a point for a stretch of five and a half minutes. Hawthorne was the team's bright spot on the offensive end. The senior broke out of a scoring slump with 19 points in the second half. He ended the game with six three-pointers.
The Drexel defense held Memphis to 39 percent shooting in the first half, but the Tigers forced 11 Drexel turnovers which resulted in 15 Memphis points in the half. Memphis went to the break ahead, 36-17 as Drexel made just six field goals in the first stanza and was held to just 24 percent shooting.
Drexel came up with 18 offensive rebounds in the game, the fourth straight game with at least 18 offensive boards.
Philadelphia-area native Tyreke Evans led five Memphis players in double figures with 20 points. Robert Dozier, Shawn Taggert, Roburt Sallie and Doneal Mack each scored at least 10 points. Memphis shot 48 percent in the game, made 10 three-pointers and blocked 13 Drexel shots.
The Dragons are off until Dec. 27 when they travel to Rider for an afternoon contest.
