No, 22 UCLA Holds on to Defeat Drexel, 72-67

Friday, November 8

Los Angeles, Calif.

9:00 PST

Drexel University

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UCLA (#22)

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Drexel

UCLA (#22)

11/9/2013 2:40:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Los Angeles, Calif. -. Drexel's bid for an upset of No. 22 UCLA came up just short as the Bruins escaped with a 72-67 win at Pauley Pavilion in the season opener for both teams. The Dragons cut the lead to just three points and had a chance to tie the game in the closing seconds but Damion Lee's three-pointer came up short.

The Dragons trailed by 11 at intermission, but opened the second half with a 9-2 run to get back in the game. Late in the second half, with the Bruins ahead by six, the Dragons scored on back to back possessions to make it 65-63 with 2:45 to go. Chris Fouch made a pair of free throws and then Frantz Massenat drove past the UCLA defense for a bucket. UCLA's Jordan Adams was fouled but made just one of two to put the Bruins up by three, but once again Massenat answered and with 2:21 to play UCLA led by just one.

Adams made a pair of free throws and after a Drexel miss, Tony Parker slammed home a pass from Norman Powell that extended the lead to five. Damion Lee scored on a driving lay-up and after each team committed a turnover, Drexel got the ball back with :23 to play. UCLA was not in the bonus as of yet, and after a Drexel timeout, the Bruins committed a foul as Drexel had the ball out of bounds with just :08 left. The Dragons got the ball to Lee, whose long three-pointer from straight on came up short and UCLA got possession, made two free throws and left with the win.

Massenat played an outstanding game for the Dragons. He led all players with 20 points, had five assists and three steals. Lee struggled from the floor for most of the game, but finished with 17 points and seven rebounds. Chris Fouch also found the going tough, making just 3-for-15 from the field, and had 11 points. Dartaye Ruffin played a strong game up front for the Dragons, finishing with a game-high 13 boards. After a rough first half (30 percent), Drexel shot 45 percent in the final 20 minutes as they narrowly missed handing Steve Alford a loss in his UCLA coaching debut.

Adams led the Bruins with 16 points but was held to just 4-for-12 shooting. David Wear and Zach LaVine each had 14, while Kyle Anderson had 12 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists. The Bruins shot 46 percent from the field in the game.
Drexel continues its road trip on Tuesday night. The Dragons will fly to Normal, Ill., where they will face Illinois State. Both teams will be looking for their first win of the season. The Redbirds opened the year with a loss at VCU.