Drexel University Athletics
Tuesday, March 20
Daskalakis Athletic Center
7:00
Drexel University
70
vs
72
UMass
Dragons Fall to UMass in NIT Quarterfinals, 72-70
3/20/2012 10:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Box Score
Philadelphia - Drexel's record-breaking season came to an end on Tuesday night as UMass (25-11) handed the Dragons (29-7) a 72-70 loss at the Daskalakis Athletic Center in the NIT. The Minutemen shot 71 percent in the second half, wiped out a 10-point halftime deficit and held on to advance to the NIT Semifinals in Madison Square Garden next week.
The Dragons trailed by as many as six points late in the second half, but managed to make it a one possession game down the stretch. Derrick Thomas scored on a put-back to cut the lead to 70-66 with 2:38 remaining. UMass then committed a turnover which led to a Frantz Massenat lay-in to make it a two point game with two minutes to play. The Minutemen's Sean Carter increased the lead to four on a lay-in past Samme Givens, who was playing with four fouls. On Drexel's next possession, Massenat was fouled and made a pair from the line. The Dragons' defense made a stop as Terrell Vinson's three-pointer with :51 to play was off. Drexel took the ball down court and Daryl McCoy had a chance to tie with an eight-footer that touched what seemed to be every side of the rim before missing. Givens had a tip-in opportunity, but couldn't finish it and the Dragons were forced to foul. Chaz Williams, who led all players with 20 points, missed the front end of the one-and-one, which gave Drexel one more chance. Massenat had a jumper with five seconds left bounce off the rim and the ball was batted out to midcourt. Chris Fouch launced a three-point attempt from half court, but it came after the buzzer and missed, as UMass escaped with the come-from-behind win.
UMass was on fire in the second half, missing only seven of its field goal attempts. On the other end, Drexel was just 38 percent from the floor in the second half and finished the game just 1-for-13 from behind the arc. The Dragons entered the game 24th in the country in three-point percentage. Massenat led the way with 16 points and nine assists, but was just 6-for-12 from the line. Dartaye Ruffin added 17 points, all of them coming in the first half. Givens, playing in his final game as a Dragon, did what he did for the last four seasons, posting a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Thomas was also in double figures with 10 points.
The UMass press forced Drexel into 15 turnovers, which led to 20 Minutemen points. Vinson scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half. Jesse Morgan scored 13 points and had two big second half three-pointers for UMass. The Dragons dominated the boards, more than doubling the Minutemen on the glass, 43-21. The Dragons had 25 offensive boards and 26 second-chance points. Eight of Givens' 10 rebounds came on the offensive end.
Drexel finished the year with the most wins in school history with 29. The Dragons also won two postseason games in one season for the first time. Bruiser Flint's team will return all but one player next season, as only Givens will graduate. That will be a big loss, however, as the Philadelphia native finished his career with 1,226 points (18th all time at Drexel) and 1,059 rebounds, which is third all-time at the school.
Philadelphia - Drexel's record-breaking season came to an end on Tuesday night as UMass (25-11) handed the Dragons (29-7) a 72-70 loss at the Daskalakis Athletic Center in the NIT. The Minutemen shot 71 percent in the second half, wiped out a 10-point halftime deficit and held on to advance to the NIT Semifinals in Madison Square Garden next week.
The Dragons trailed by as many as six points late in the second half, but managed to make it a one possession game down the stretch. Derrick Thomas scored on a put-back to cut the lead to 70-66 with 2:38 remaining. UMass then committed a turnover which led to a Frantz Massenat lay-in to make it a two point game with two minutes to play. The Minutemen's Sean Carter increased the lead to four on a lay-in past Samme Givens, who was playing with four fouls. On Drexel's next possession, Massenat was fouled and made a pair from the line. The Dragons' defense made a stop as Terrell Vinson's three-pointer with :51 to play was off. Drexel took the ball down court and Daryl McCoy had a chance to tie with an eight-footer that touched what seemed to be every side of the rim before missing. Givens had a tip-in opportunity, but couldn't finish it and the Dragons were forced to foul. Chaz Williams, who led all players with 20 points, missed the front end of the one-and-one, which gave Drexel one more chance. Massenat had a jumper with five seconds left bounce off the rim and the ball was batted out to midcourt. Chris Fouch launced a three-point attempt from half court, but it came after the buzzer and missed, as UMass escaped with the come-from-behind win.
UMass was on fire in the second half, missing only seven of its field goal attempts. On the other end, Drexel was just 38 percent from the floor in the second half and finished the game just 1-for-13 from behind the arc. The Dragons entered the game 24th in the country in three-point percentage. Massenat led the way with 16 points and nine assists, but was just 6-for-12 from the line. Dartaye Ruffin added 17 points, all of them coming in the first half. Givens, playing in his final game as a Dragon, did what he did for the last four seasons, posting a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Thomas was also in double figures with 10 points.
The UMass press forced Drexel into 15 turnovers, which led to 20 Minutemen points. Vinson scored 14 of his 18 points in the second half. Jesse Morgan scored 13 points and had two big second half three-pointers for UMass. The Dragons dominated the boards, more than doubling the Minutemen on the glass, 43-21. The Dragons had 25 offensive boards and 26 second-chance points. Eight of Givens' 10 rebounds came on the offensive end.
Drexel finished the year with the most wins in school history with 29. The Dragons also won two postseason games in one season for the first time. Bruiser Flint's team will return all but one player next season, as only Givens will graduate. That will be a big loss, however, as the Philadelphia native finished his career with 1,226 points (18th all time at Drexel) and 1,059 rebounds, which is third all-time at the school.
Drexel Men's Basketball vs ODU Full Game Melt 11-23-2025
Sunday, November 23
Drexel Men's Basketball vs Penn Full Game Melt 11-21-2025
Saturday, November 22
The Battle of 33rd Street - Drexel vs Penn
Friday, November 21
Drexel Men's Basketball vs NJIT Full Game Melt 11-18-2025
Wednesday, November 19