Givens Leads Dragons Past Towson in the Opening Round of the CAA Championship, 75-69

Friday, March 4

Richmond, Va.

2:30

Drexel University

Towson

Samme Givens had 22 points and 14 rebounds in Drexel's win vs. Towson

Givens Leads Dragons Past Towson in the Opening Round of the CAA Championship, 75-69

3/4/2011 5:27:27 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Richmond, Va. – Samme Givens scored 18 of his game-high 22 points in the second half and grabbed 14 rebounds as Drexel (21-9) defeated Towson in the first round of the CAA Championships, 75-69. With the victory, the Dragons advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will face VCU on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

Drexel shot a blistering 65 percent in the second half and led by as many as 13 points before Towson (4-26) made it a game. The Tigers trimmed the lead to two when Rashawn Polk hit a three-pointer at the 3:13 mark to make it a 64-62 game. Drexel's Gerald Colds answered with a long three-pointer from the top of the key as the shot clock expired, giving Drexel a little breathing room at 67-62 with 2:36 to play. Towson wouldn't go away and Drexel struggled from the line in the final minutes. Dartaye Ruffin missed four straight free throws in the final minute, but did grab a big defensive board on Towson's next possession that led to a foul on Derrick Thomas. The sophomore sank one of two from the line putting the Dragons ahead by four. After a Towson miss, Fouch iced it with a pair of free throws with 17 seconds to play

Drexel and Towson went to the half tied at 28-28. The Dragons struggled in the early going, but came on in the middle of the first half, turning a 12-10 deficit into a 20-12 advantage. The lead didn't last long as Towson switched to a zone defense and forced the Dragons into a number of turnovers which led to easy buckets. The Tigers had 12 of their 28 points in the first half off of eight Drexel turnovers. Drexel had solid production off the bench as Chris Fouch had 10 first half points and Dartaye Ruffin had nine rebounds.

Givens was 10-for-14 from the floor in recording his 10th double-double of the year. Fouch added 15 points, while Frantz Massenat scored 13 points and handed out five assists in his postseason debut. The Dragons dominated the board, outrebounding the Tigers, 43-26, and shot 52 percent in the game.

Drexel and VCU tip off at 2:30 on Saturday at the Richmond Coliseum after the Georgia State-George Mason contest. Drexel and VCU split their meetings this season, with each team winning on its home court.