Dragons Heading to MSG For the Holiday After Defeating Rutgers, 70-59, in NIT

Tuesday, November 19

Piscataway, N.J.

7:30

Drexel University

3-1

Rutgers

3-2

Drexel

Rutgers

Dragons Heading to MSG For the Holiday After Defeating Rutgers, 70-59, in NIT

11/19/2013 8:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Box Score (PDF)

Piscataway, N.J. – Tavon Allen scored a career-best 21 points as Drexel defeated Rutgers at the Rutgers Athletic Center, 70-59. With the victory, the Dragons advanced to the NIT Season Tip-Off Semifinals at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 27.

Drexel led for most of the way, but Rutgers made a run and cut the lead to one with 10:54 when D'von Campbell drove to the basket and scored on a lay-up 8-0 run. The Dragons responded when Fouch fed a nice bounce pass to Abif for lay-in to break the scoring drought. Minutes later, after Rutgers got to within four at 48-44, the Dragons went on an 9-0 run of their own. Allen, who had 16 of his 21 points in the second half, scored all nine of those points for the Dragons. He picked up the slack for Chris Fouch and Damion Lee, who were each saddled by foul trouble.

Rutgers attempted to get back in the game as Drexel picked up numerous fouls in the closing minutes. However, the Scarlet Knights shot just 9-for-16 from the line in the second half and missed a pair of one-and-ones down the stretch. The Dragons didn't fare much better from the line, but made just enough to pick up the win.

The Dragons put four players in double figures. Allen was 8-for-17 from the floor in the game and was 4-for-5 from the line. Lee, who played just 27 minutes due to foul trouble added 15. Frantz Massenat had 12 points and seven assists, while Fouch scored all 10 of his points in the second half. He made three three-pointers and had a four-point play.

Kadeem Jack scored 13 points and had 10 rebounds to lead Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights shot just 39.6 percent and were just 4-for-15 from long range. The Dragons shot 45 percent in the contest and had eight three pointers.

Drexel led by as many as seven points in the first half before heading to the locker room ahead, 27-22. The Dragons were able to maintain the lead despite committing eight turnovers in the half. Lee had 10 of his 15 points in the first half to lead the club.

Drexel will face Arizona in Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. It will be the Dragons second appearance in the NIT Season Tip-Off Semifinals. Drexel played at the Garden in 2005. Drexel faced No. 1 Duke and UCLA in 2005, and lost by just a point to the Bruins.