Women's Basketball Takes TD Bank Classic Title Over Vermont, 66-49

Saturday, December 1

Burlington,Vt.

4:00 p.m.

Drexel University

6-2

Vermont

3-6

Drexel

Vermont

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Women's Basketball Takes TD Bank Classic Title Over Vermont, 66-49

12/1/2012 6:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

BURLINGTON, Vt. – Stifling defense and some timely scoring by senior Nicki Jones and freshman Meghan Creighton helped the Drexel women's basketball team build a big early advantage on the host Vermont Catamounts on Saturday en route to a 66-49 victory in the TD Bank Classic. Drexel went 2-0 at the event at Patrick Gym over the weekend, and completed a six-game road swing over the past two weeks with an impressive 5-1 mark.

The Dragons (6-2) also matched their best eight-game start in program history. They were also 6-2 in their first Division I season, 1982-83, as well as 2001-02 and 2010-11.

Nicki Jones had 20 points, her first 20-point effort in two years as a Dragon and just two points shy of her career high. She did this on 10-for-14 shooting from the floor, setting a new personal best with the 10 field goals. Meghan Creighton chipped in 14 points on 4-for-4 shooting from the floor, all from three-point range. Both were named to the TD Bank Classic All-Tournament Team, with Jones earning Tournament MVP recognition.

Carrie Alexander also had eight points, a personal best, while Hollie Mershon added nine points, nine rebounds and a career-high six assists.

The Dragons jumped all over Vermont from the tip, holding the Catamounts scoreless for the first 9:12 of the game. With 7:52 remaining in the first half, Jones hit a short jumper that put Drexel up 20-2 and prompted a timeout by Vermont. Jones was lethal with her midrange game in the first half, going 7-for-10 including a number of 10-to-12 foot jumpers in the period.

Her presence in the post was also a big part of the Dragons' defensive dominance in the first half. She finished with four steals and two blocks, disrupting the Catamounts' offense and keeping them from getting much going inside. Jones finished a rebound shy of a double-double with nine, helping Drexel outrebound Vermont 39-33. Meanwhile, Vermont was 0-for-6 from three-point range in the first half, and finished the game 1-for-10.

While Jones was taking care of business inside, Creighton had perhaps the most well-rounded game of her young career. Dishing out six assists, also a career high, while not committing a turnover, Creighton was not afraid to shoot when she found herself open. The Archbishop Carroll graduate finished a perfect 4-for-4 from downtown, adding two free throws in as many attempts. She also pulled down four rebounds.

Drexel led 37-11 at the half, and maintained that lead throughout the second half. In fact, not until Kaylea Britton's tip in with 18 seconds to go did Vermont get as close as the final margin of 17. Drexel led by as many as 28 early in the second half.

The victory completed an extremely impressive six-game road swing for the Dragons. Drexel went 5-1 during that time with wins at La Salle and two each in the LIU Turkey Classic and the TD Bank Classic. The only loss came at No. 24 South Carolina in overtime. Drexel trailed for a total of 3:28 over the last five games of that stretch, all in overtime at South Carolina. During the road trip, the Dragons' defense allowed an average of 46.0 points per game.

The reward for the Dragons' successful road run will be nearly three weeks off before their next game, when they host Penn on December 21 at the Daskalakis Athletic Center. They will also host American on Dec. 28 and visit Princeton on New Years' Eve before the year is out.