Massenat Leads Dragons Past VCU, 64-58

Sunday, January 8

Daskalakis Athletic Center

8:00

Drexel University

VCU

Frantz Massenat was 4-for-4 from long range against VCU

1/8/2012 10:25:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Philadelphia, Pa. – Frantz Massenat scored a career-high 24 points as Drexel defeated VCU, 64-58, in front of a sellout crowd at the Daskalakis Athletic Center. The Dragons (10-5 overall, 2-2 CAA) remained perfect at home in six games on their homecourt.

In a game that was closely contested the entire game, Drexel went ahead for good at the 3:32 mark when Chris Fouch made his only field goal of the game on a driving lay-up. The Dragons came up with a stop on VCU's (11-5, 2-2) next possession and went ahead by four when Derrick Thomas pulled up and made a short jumper. The Rams had their chances but made just two of four free throws on the next few possessions. When Troy Daniels made one of two with 36 seconds remaining, VCU trailed by just two. The Rams fouled freshman Damion Lee, who calmly sank two free throws giving Drexel a 59-55 advantage. VCU's Bradford Burgess missed a jumper on the next Rams' possession and Lee came up with a big rebound and again sank both freebies. Drexel sank seven of eight free throws in the final 31 seconds as they won for the ninth straight time at the DAC. The Rams, who were on fire from deep in the first half, missed all nine of their long-range shots in the second half.

The first half was as entertaining a half as you would expect from two of the top teams in the Colonial Athletic Association. The teams went back and forth for the first 20 minutes and ended up going to intermission tied at 32-32. VCU made five of its first six three-pointers in the game. The Rams finished the half 7-for-15 from deep, but missed six of nine free throw attempts. Massenat had a big first half for the Dragons despite picking up three fouls. The sophomore scored 15 points in the half. Overall, Massenat was 7-for-10 from the floor and made all four of his long-range attempts.

The Dragons once again did the job from the line. Bruiser Flint's team made 27 of its 35 attempts (77 percent) from the charity stripe, while VCU struggled, making just nine of its 20 free throws. Thomas added 10 points for the Dragons, while Dartaye Ruffin led the squad with nine rebounds. Daryl McCoy and Samme Givens each had eight boards. The defense played well again, holding VCU to just 36 percent shooting in the game.

Burgess, a Preseason Player of the Year candidate, finished with 19 points for the Rams and made four three-pointers. Juvonte Reddic added 15 on 6-for-8 shooting.

Drexel closes its three game homestand on Thursday night against George Mason. The Dragons and the Patriots play at 8 p.m. in a game that can be seen live on ESPNU. George Mason is alone in first place in the CAA with a 4-0 record.