Lee's Career Night Leads Drexel Past ODU, 81-77

Thursday, February 28

Norfolk, Va.

7:00

Drexel University

8-912-17/ CAA)

Old Dominion

2-154-25/ CAA)

Drexel

Old Dominion

Lee's Career Night Leads Drexel Past ODU, 81-77

2/28/2013 9:13:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Norfolk, Va. - Damion Lee poured in a career-high 34 points and Drexel made a season-high 14 three-pointers in an 81-77 victory against Old Dominion at the Ted Constant Center. With the win, the Dragons secured the fifth spot in the upcoming CAA Tournament.

Drexel (12-17, 8-9) never trailed in the game, but the contest was tight down the stretch. The Dragons held an 11-point lead with 13:35 to go, but ODU (4-25, 2-15) scored six points in just four seconds to trim the lead to 51-46. DeShawn Painter sank a three-pointer as Daryl McCoy was called for a foul away from the ball. The bucket counted and ODU got possession back. The Monarchs threw the ball inbounds and Dimitri Batten quickly sank another three-pointer. ODU tied the game on two occasions but was unable to pull ahead. Lee hit a pair of free throws at the 7:33 mark to give the Dragons the lead for good. Derrick Thomas sank a three-pointer on Drexel's next possession to increase the lead to 64-59. In the final minute, ODU was down by seven points, but rattled off five straight points to cut Drexel's lead to 79-77. The Monarchs made a stop and had the ball with nine second s to play with a chance to tie or take the lead. However, Dartaye Ruffin picked off an inbounds pass with four seconds to play and quickly sent the ball to Frantz Massenat who was fouled. The junior sank a pair of free throws to clinch it.

Lee finished is career night 11-for-14 from the floor. The sophomore made his first seven three-pointers of the game before finally missing on his last attempt of the night. It was Lee's second 30-point performance of the season and with his 10 rebounds he also had his third double-double of the season. Massenat continued his solid play, scoring 22 points, handing out six assists and recording three blocked shots. Derrick Thomas chipped in with 13 points, six assists and three steals. Overall, the Dragons were 14-for-23 (.609) from behind the arc. The Monarchs, who also had a good night from long range (8-18), got back in the game by making five of their first six three-point attempts in the second half. They ended the night shooting 51 percent from the floor. Painter and Aaron Bacote each had 15 points, while Donte Hill added 14.

Drexel closes the regular season on Saturday night in Philadelphia. The Dragons face UNCW on Senior Night at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at 7 p.m. Seniors Chris Fouch, Daryl McCoy and Derrick Thomas will be honored prior to the game. Drexel will face either George Mason or James Madison in the opening round of the CAA Tournament on March 9. Game-time for the opener in Richmond will be at 3:30 p.m.