Sunday, March 11
Upper Marlboro, Md.
12:30 p.m.
Drexel University
43
vs
59
Delaware
Photo by: CAA/Rafael Suanes
Women's Basketball Beaten in CAA Final by Delaware, 59-43
3/11/2012 2:48:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BOX SCORE
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - The Drexel women's basketball saw its magical run through the CAA Tournament come to an end on Sunday afternoon, as they were defeated by top-seeded Delaware, 59-43. The Dragons shot just 29.8 percent from the field for the afternoon. Hollie Mershon finished with 16 points to lead the Dragons, including four three-pointers, which matched her career high. Kamile Nacickaite added 11 points. She was named to the All-Tournament Team following the game.
Drexel held a 14-12 lead midway through the first half when the dry spell from the floor set in. The Dragons were held without a point for exactly nine minutes of game time. However, their defense more than kept them in the game, as Nacickaite's short jumper to end the drought with 1:19 to play in the half cut Delaware's lead to 18-16.
The Blue Hens went into intermission leading just 20-16. Elena Delle Donne, the conference's Player of the Year, had just four points on 4-of-12 shooting, primarily down low near the bucket. In the second half, however, Delaware opened with a 9-2 run fueled by Akeema Richards and two buckets from Delle Donne, building the lead to double digits.
With the Dragons still struggling to score, head coach Denise Dillon put the pressure on Delaware, calling for a trapping defense in the back court that did give the Blue Hens trouble. They had two turnovers in a row, but Drexel continued to come up short on the offensive end and could not take advantage. Once the Blue Hens solved the press, they were able to get some good looks in transition that solidified their lead.
The Dragons came into Sunday having played two grueling games in two days against VCU and James Madison to reach the final. Delaware, meanwhile, was able to rest starters late in their wins over Old Dominion and UNCW. That lack of rest may have caught up with the Dragons, as shots fell short down the stretch with the game still in reach.
Despite the woes on offense, Drexel's defense continued to stimy even the best of offenses. For only the second time all year, the Blue Hens were held below 60 points. The previous time was also against Drexel when Delaware eked out a 40-39 win at the DAC on February 19.
Drexel will now await its postseason fate, which most likely will land them in the WNIT for a third-consecutive season. With an invitation, Drexel's senior class of Marisa Crane, Tyler Hale, Ayana Lee and Kamile Nacickaite will become the first in program history to reach four postseasons in their four seasons. The quartet won the CAA Tournament as freshmen and reached the final as seniors, the only two championship game appearances for the Dragons. Bids to the NCAA tournament and WNIT will be handed out Monday evening.
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. - The Drexel women's basketball saw its magical run through the CAA Tournament come to an end on Sunday afternoon, as they were defeated by top-seeded Delaware, 59-43. The Dragons shot just 29.8 percent from the field for the afternoon. Hollie Mershon finished with 16 points to lead the Dragons, including four three-pointers, which matched her career high. Kamile Nacickaite added 11 points. She was named to the All-Tournament Team following the game.
Drexel held a 14-12 lead midway through the first half when the dry spell from the floor set in. The Dragons were held without a point for exactly nine minutes of game time. However, their defense more than kept them in the game, as Nacickaite's short jumper to end the drought with 1:19 to play in the half cut Delaware's lead to 18-16.
The Blue Hens went into intermission leading just 20-16. Elena Delle Donne, the conference's Player of the Year, had just four points on 4-of-12 shooting, primarily down low near the bucket. In the second half, however, Delaware opened with a 9-2 run fueled by Akeema Richards and two buckets from Delle Donne, building the lead to double digits.
With the Dragons still struggling to score, head coach Denise Dillon put the pressure on Delaware, calling for a trapping defense in the back court that did give the Blue Hens trouble. They had two turnovers in a row, but Drexel continued to come up short on the offensive end and could not take advantage. Once the Blue Hens solved the press, they were able to get some good looks in transition that solidified their lead.
The Dragons came into Sunday having played two grueling games in two days against VCU and James Madison to reach the final. Delaware, meanwhile, was able to rest starters late in their wins over Old Dominion and UNCW. That lack of rest may have caught up with the Dragons, as shots fell short down the stretch with the game still in reach.
Despite the woes on offense, Drexel's defense continued to stimy even the best of offenses. For only the second time all year, the Blue Hens were held below 60 points. The previous time was also against Drexel when Delaware eked out a 40-39 win at the DAC on February 19.
Drexel will now await its postseason fate, which most likely will land them in the WNIT for a third-consecutive season. With an invitation, Drexel's senior class of Marisa Crane, Tyler Hale, Ayana Lee and Kamile Nacickaite will become the first in program history to reach four postseasons in their four seasons. The quartet won the CAA Tournament as freshmen and reached the final as seniors, the only two championship game appearances for the Dragons. Bids to the NCAA tournament and WNIT will be handed out Monday evening.
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