Dragons Down Illinois State, 78-70, as Flint ties Cozen for Career Wins at DU

Tuesday, November 12

Normal, Ill.

8:00

Drexel University

1-1

Illinois State

0-2

Drexel

Illinois State

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Dragons Down Illinois State, 78-70, as Flint ties Cozen for Career Wins at DU

11/12/2013 9:59:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Normal, Ill. -. Chris Fouch scored 26 points and Kazembe Abif had his first career double-double as Drexel defeated Illinois State at Redbird Arena, 78-70. With the win, Drexel Head Coach Bruiser Flint tied Sam Cozen for career victories at Drexel with 213.

The Dragons (1-1) and Redbirds (0-2) were locked in a close game for most of the night. Drexel eventually extended the lead to double digits with 11:11 to play when Fouch drained a three-pointer, making it a 53-42 contest. The Redbirds could not get closer than six points the rest of the way, despite four Drexel turnovers in the final two minutes of play. The second half was choppy as both teams got in foul trouble in the early going. The teams combined for 43 free throw attempts in the second half.

In the first half, the Dragons trailed 30-27 with 1:32 to play in the first half after a pair of ISU free throws. Drexel answered by closing the half on a 7-0 run. Tavon Allen started the run with a jumper and then Fouch nailed a three-pointer and a pair of free throws to put the Dragons up 34-30 at the half. Drexel held the Redbirds to just 27 percent shooting in the first half and 32 percent overall in the game.

Fouch looked like the Fouch of old as he was 9-for-14 from the floor and made three of his six long range attempts. The graduate student also grabbed six rebounds. He led five players in double figures for the Dragons and moved into 17^th on Drexel's career scoring list with1,231 points. Abif had career highs of 13 points and 13 rebounds. Frantz Massenat and Allen each scored 12 points, with Massenat handing out a game-high seven assists. Allen played well in his 28 minutes of action, mainly taking the place of Damion Lee, who was saddled with foul trouble. The Dragons shot an efficient 47 percent in the game and 57 percent in the second half.

Flint, now in his 13^th year at the school, also picked up his 299^th career win. He has a career record of 213-161 at the school.

Drexel returns home for a few days before beginning play in the NIT Season Tip-Off in Piscataway, N.J. The Dragons open the tournament on Monday evening against at 5 p.m. Elon. The winner will face the winner of the Canisius-Rutgers game that will take place following the Drexel game.