Drexel Survives Triple OT and Defeats Alabama, 85-83

Friday, November 29

Madison Square Garden, N.Y., N.Y.

3:30

Drexel University

Alabama

OT 1

OT 2

OT 3

ALABAMA

Drexel

Drexel Survives Triple OT and Defeats Alabama, 85-83

11/29/2013 5:16:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Box Score (PDF)

New York, N.Y.. – Chris Fouch scored 19 points and Kazembe Abif had a double-double off the bench as Drexel (4-2) survived foul trouble and fatigue in a thrilling 85-83 triple overtime victory against Alabama (3-3) in the consolation game of the NIT Season Tip-Off. It was the first Drexel win ever against a Southeast Conference opponent and the team's first win at Madison Square Garden.

In a game that had twists and turns throughout, the Dragons finally escaped with a victory when Trevor Releford's shot at the buzzer from in the lane missed and Tavon Allen came down with the board as time expired. Abif, who missed the Dragons' game against No. 4 Arizona with a concussion, came off the bench and had a career-high 15 points and 11 rebounds in 46 minutes of play. He also came up big at the line, making nine of his 10 attempts from the line. Massenat chipped in with 17 points and four assists before fouling out. Allen, who started in place of the injured Damion Lee, scored 16 points, had six rebounds and four assists. Allen played 53 minutes, one less than Fouch. Rodney Williams started for the second straight game, and the freshman played well before fouling out. He scored seven points, grabbed four rebounds and had three blocked shots.

Nick Jacobs led the Tide with 23 points and was force inside, sinking 11 of his 15 attempts before fouling out. Releford added 21 points and had three three-pointers while Obasohan scored 18 points, snared five rebounds and blocked three shots.

The Dragons led by as many as six points in the third overtime period after opening the final frame with a 6-0 run. Abif had four free throws in that stretch, sandwiched around a Frantz Massenat jumper. The Tide responded as they did most of the night by driving to the basket and getting to the line. Alabama trimmed the deficit to four after a pair of Releford free throws and a lay-up by Retin Obasohan made it 85-83 with 1:41 remaining. Drexel missed a pair of shots in the next possession and Alabama had a chance to tie or go ahead. The Tide called timeout with :10 to play and set up a three-point shot by Releford, that came up just short. Alabama's Jimmie Taylor grabbed the rebound and was fouled by Abif. He missed the first and then missed the second intentionally, which set up Releford's last chance right before the buzzer.

Drexel led by five in the second overtime before Alabama tied it with :15 left. Obasohan made two free throws to even the game at 77-77 and Drexel had the final possession for the second straight overtime session. Abif had a jumper from the lane miss after Fouch's driving attempt, which had some contact, didn't fall.

Neither team was able to get more than a two-point led in the first extra period. Drexel led by two late, but with four seconds left, Obasohan made two more clutch free throws. The Dragons had one last chance but Fouch's long three-point attempt from just inside half court on the side narrowly missed.

The Crimson Tide trailed by 11 at halftime, but opened the second half on a 14-6 run, which included a pair of three-pointers by Releford, making it a game. Down the stretch, Alabama was able to open a four-point lead with just over a minute to play. Drexel sliced the margin in half on a Dartaye Ruffin put back with 42 seconds left. The Tide looked to be in good shape with the ball, but Fouch came up with a steal and scored to tie it. Releford had a chance to get the Tide the win, but his pull-up jumper from the right wing was off the mark forcing the first of the extra periods.

The Dragons somehow survived a foul-plagued first half to get their 11-point lead at halftime. Rodney Williams scored on a put-back and was fouled with 23 second left. He missed the free throw, but Drexel took a 32-21 lead on the play. Massenat and Allen each had three fouls in the first half, forcing the Dragons to go to a thin bench. With Damion Lee out with injury, Major Canady played 10 solid minutes in the first half as the Dragons were able to retain the lead.

The game featured 56 fouls between the two teams and 68 free throws. The Tide went to the line 37 times and made 25, while the Dragons were 25-for-31 from the stripe, including 14-for-16 in the overtime periods.

Drexel will finally get a chance to play at the Daskalakis Athletic Center after six straight games away from home. The Dragons host Cleveland State on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.

Arizona defeated Duke to win the NIT Season Tip-Off, 72-66. Nick Johnson of Arizona was named the Most Outstanding Player. The All-Tournament team consisted of Johnson and Aaron Gordon of Arizona, Rodney Hood and Jabari Parker of Duke and Drexel's own Frantz Massenat.