Fast Start Propels Women's Basketball to 71-50 Victory at Pittsburgh

Saturday, November 26

Pittsburgh, Pa.

2:00 p.m.

Drexel University

Pitt

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Fast Start Propels Women's Basketball to 71-50 Victory at Pittsburgh

11/26/2011 4:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball

BOX SCORE

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Four Dragons reached double figures on Saturday as the Drexel women's basketball team enjoyed a post-Thanksgiving romp at Pittsburgh, 71-50 over the host Panthers. The Dragons led nearly the entire game, with senior Kamile Nacickaite leading all scorers with 23 points. Senior Tyler Hale finished with 11 points and 12 rebounds, the first double-double of the year for the Dragons.

Drexel improved to 3-1 on the season, having won its last three games away from home.

The Dragons wasted little time jumping all over the host Panthers. Fresh off a career-high 33 points at Akron last Saturday, Nacickaite drained a three less than a minute into the contest to give the Dragons a 3-0 lead. That was the beginning of a stretch where Nacickaite hit 13 of the Dragons' first 15 points as they built a 15-7 advantage.

Nacickaite's 23 points marked the most an opponent had scored against Pittsburgh since Maya Moore scored 28 on January 22 last season.

Although Pittsburgh clamped down on Nacickaite as the first half wore on, they could not shut down the Dragons altogether. Junior Taylor Wootton knocked down eight first-half points, and senior Tyler Hale added six. The Dragons ran their offense to a T, with senior Marisa Crane dishing out three assists against no turnovers, and Wootton tying her career high with five helpers, turning the ball over just once. Wootton would finish with six assists, a new personal best. As a team, Drexel had 12 assists on 15 first-half turnovers, giving the ball up just four times.

The Dragons' defense also set the tone early, holding the Panthers to 33.3 percent shooting from the floor during the game. Marquel Davis led Pitt with 19 points, the only Panther to reach double figures. Drexel disrupted the young Panthers' offensive flow, forcing 14 turnovers and coming up with five blocks. Junior Nicole Jones had three, the most in her short Drexel career.

Pittsburgh did a better job keeping the Dragons at bay in the second half, but Drexel's defense continued to be a strength. Although the Panthers pulled within 12 points on a couple occasions, they could not get any closer. Hollie Mershon, who finished with 13 points, got seven of those in the second half to help keep the Drexel offense moving.

Drexel will be back in action on Tuesday when they visit Saint Joseph's at 7:00. The game will be the fourth straight on the road for Drexel, which will also visit UNCW before returning home on Dec. 19.