Givens Powers Men's Basketball to 73-68 Victory Over Bradley

Saturday, December 17

Daskalakis Athletic Center

4:00

Drexel University

Bradley

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Givens Powers Men's Basketball to 73-68 Victory Over Bradley

12/17/2011 6:11:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Philadelphia – Samme Givens scored all 17 of his points in the second half as Drexel (5-4) held on to defeat Bradley, 73-68. The Dragons, winners of three straight games, led by as many as 17 points in the second hal before a late Bradley rally made it a game. The Dragons went ahead for good with just under two minutes to play and iced the game by making five of six free throws in the last 21 seconds.

Bradley (5-5) chipped away at the Dragons lead late in the second half. Trailing 65-56 with just under five minutes to play, the Braves scored nine straight points to tie the game. Walt Lemon, Jr., tied the game on a lay-up with 2:31 to play. On Drexel's next possession, Chris Fouch drove the lane and scored to give the Dragons the lead for good with 1:54 left. Drexel's defense came up with a big stop and Derrick Thomas sank one of two free throws as Drexel took a three-point lead with 1:30 remaining.

Bradley's Jake Eastman had a chance to cut it to one on free throws with 23 ticks left on the clock, but missed the first. Drexel got the ball inbounds after the second shot was good and Damion Lee was fouled and proceeded to sink both, upping the Drexel lead to four points. The teams exchanged a pair of free throws as Drexel escaped with the victory over their Missouri Valley opponent.

Givens finished with his second double-double of the year and the 16^th of his career. He had 17 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. The senior was also 5-for-5 from the line. Givens was one of four Dragons in double figures. Frantz Massenat added 15 points and was 3-for-5 from behind the arc. Fouch scored 14 points in just 16 minutes and Lee chipped in with 11 points. Drexel made eight three-pointers and handed out a season-high 19 assists.

Eastman was a key factor in the comeback for Bradley. The junior scored all of his 17 points in the second half, including 12 straight points for the Braves. Lemon led the Braves with 18 points. Bradley shot a blistering 57 percent in the second half, but turned the ball over 15 times in the game.

The Dragons are off until Dec. 22 when they visit Binghamton in a non-conference game. Their next home game is on Dec. 27 against Fairfield in the Daskalakis Athletic Center.