Damion Lee's 32 Points Not Enough as USC Rallies for 72-70 Win

Friday, November 21

Charleston, S.C.

12:00

Drexel University

0-4

USC

2-2

USC

Drexel

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Damion Lee's 32 Points Not Enough as USC Rallies for 72-70 Win

11/21/2014 2:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Charleston, S.C. – Damion Lee poured in 32 points, but his three-pointer as time expired would not fall as Drexel fell to the University of Southern California, 72-70, in the Gildan Charleston Classic. The Dragons led by as many as 14 early in the second half, but USC's press forced Drexel into 12 second half turnovers to come away with the win.

The Dragons (0-4) trailed by six with 1:36 to go after a Darion Clark lay-up. Lee answered with a pair of free throws and after a steal by Rashann London led to two free throws by Tavon Allen to trim the lead to 69-67. USC (2-2) answered with a Julian Jacobs lay-up, but on the ensuing possession, Lee knocked down his eighth three-pointer of the day with :29 left to play. Drexel fouled right away and the Trojans' Katin Reinhardt made one of two free throws. The Dragons committed a turnover, but USC missed a dunk as Mohamed Bah grabbed the rebound and threw it towards half court. After a scramble, a jump ball was called with seven seconds to play, giving Drexel the final possession.

The Dragons led 50-41 with 11:51 to play but it was clear USC was never out of the game. The Trojans scored 10 straight points to take the lead for the first time at 51-50 when Nikola Jovanovic slammed home a dunk after a Jordan McLaughlin steal. The game went back and forth the rest of the way.

The Dragons were ready for the early noon start and made their first seven shots from the foor as they opened up a 17-4 lead. USC settled down and chipped away at Drexel's lead. Darion Clark had 11 points in the first half and was 5-for-6 from the floor. The Trojans took the momentum back briefly when McLaughlin was fouled attempting a three-pointer. He made two of three to cut the Dragons' lead to 29-26. However, Drexel answered with an 11-2 run to end the half. Lee scored all 11 of those points, including a three-pointer with four seconds left.

Lee shot 10-for-16 from the floor and set his career high with eight three-pointers in 11 attempts. The eight treys tied a USC opponent record. As a team, Drexel made nine treys in just 16 attempts (.563). Rodney Williams finished 6-for-9 shooting and tied his career-high with 14 points. Tavon Allen was also in double figures with 10 points and had eight assists. The Dragon shot a season-best 52 percent from the floor. However, Drexel's 21 turnovers led to 25 USC points.

Clark led four Trojans in double figures with 15 points. Jacobs scored 12, McLaughlin added 11 and Strahinj Gavrilovic chipped in with 10 points. The Trojans shot 49 percent from the floor and committed nine turnovers. They came into the game averaging more than double that total (18.7).

The Dragons conclude play in Charleston on Sunday afternoon. Drexel will face either Penn State or Cornell at 1:30 p.m.