Mershon's Double Double Not Enough as American Tops Women's Basketball 58-52

Friday, December 28

Daskalakis Athletic Center

4:00 p.m.

Drexel University

7-3

American

6-5

AMERICAN

Drexel

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Mershon's Double Double Not Enough as American Tops Women's Basketball 58-52

12/28/2012 5:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Hollie Mershon had 22 points and 12 rebounds for her third double-double in five games, but it was not enough as the Drexel women's basketball team saw its three-game winning streak snapped, 58-52 at the hands of American. Mershon was the only Dragon in double figures. American was 8-for-17 from three-point range to help them withstand several second-half charges by the Dragons.

Rachel Pearson added nine points and Taylor Wootton eight for the Dragons, who fell to 7-3 on the season.

The Dragons fell behind early, something they have not been accustomed to doing lately as they had not trailed at all in regulation since the second half of a November 17 win at La Salle. Down 7-2 early, Drexel went on a 7-0 run fueled by Wootton, Nicki Jones and a three-pointer from Meghan Creighton to surge ahead, 9-7. The Dragons would lead by as many as three, 13-10, when Mershon worked inside for a lay-up with 10:07 remaining in the first half.

After cutting that deficit to one, American began a trend that would last throughout the afternoon, netting a three-pointer when the Eagles needed it most. Alexis Dobbs' three put American up 15-13 with 8:17 remaining in the first half. The Eagles would not trail again the rest of the way.

Drexel kept the pressure up, however. The Dragons tied things up at 17 when Jones scored with 5:18 remaining in the first half. They continued to keep things within four points for the rest of the half, but could never close the deficit completely. Early in the second half, a Mershon free throw knotted things at 28. However, the Dragons missed on their next three attempts, adding three turnovers as American stretched out to a 34-28 advantage.

Still, Drexel kept coming. Down eight with 13:10 to play, the Dragons got back-to-back three-pointer from Pearson and Mershon to cut the deficit to two. Later, they would find themselves within a point when Abby Redick's turnaround 15-foot jumper made the score 42-41.

With Drexel down three and 3:42 remaining, American went on a run that proved to give them the decisive cushion. The Eagles started it with a three-pointer by Ti'Asia McGeorge, then got two more buckets to build a 10-point margin, the largest faced by the Dragons all season.

Down 10 with 1:15 to play, the Dragons fought back one last time. Mershon hit two free throws, then the Drexel pressure defense forced an American turnover. Wootton turned and scored. The scenario repeated itself moments later with a turnover and a Wootton lay-up to make it 56-52 with 40 seconds remaining. After Dobbs missed the front end of a one-and-one with 22 seconds left on the clock, however, the Dragons could not convert on the offensive end and American was able to hang onto the lead one last time.

The Dragons will return to action for their final non-conference game of the season on Monday when they visit Princeton. That game tips off at 2:00 p.m.