Fouch Scores 30, but NU Eliminates Drexel at CAA Tournament

Saturday, March 8

Baltimore, Md.

2:30

Drexel University

(16-14)

Northeastern

(11-20)

Drexel

Fouch Scores 30, but NU Eliminates Drexel at CAA Tournament

3/8/2014 4:28:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Box Score (PDF)

Baltimore, Md. - Chris Fouch scored 30 points, including 26 in the second half, but Drexel's comeback from a 17-point came up short as the Dragons fell to Northeastern in the CAA Quarterfinals, 90-81.

Junior forward Scott Eatherton led the Huskies with 23 points and grabbed 15 rebounds to lead fifth-seeded Northeastern (11-20) to the win over the fourth-seeded Dragons (16-14). The Huskies will now face top-seeded Delaware in the CAA semis. The Blue Hens defeated Hofstra, 87-76, earlier today.

Drexel opened the game with an 11-4 run. Senior Frantz Massenat scored seven of the teams first nine points. Fouch scored on a short jumper at the 15:14 mark, but that would prove to be Drexel's last field goal for the next 9:33. The Huskies took advantage of the drought to mount a 16-2 run. Walker knotted the score at 13-13 on a floater at the 11:15 mark. Eatherton, who had his 19^th double-double of the year in the first half (11 points, 11 rebounds), put the Huskies ahead for the first time making good on the front end of a two-shot foul. On the next trip down the floor he buried a three-pointer. Northeastern took a 35-21 lead into the locker room.

Northeastern improved its lead to 17 points (51-34) before Fouch ignited a Dragon rally with three triples that chipped away at the Huskies' lead. Fouch, who was held to just four points in the first half, poured in 26 in the second half to finish with a game high 30 points before fouling out in the final minute. Massenat, who made his 128^th career start for Drexel, a school record, twice trimmed Northeastern's lead to six (85-79 and 87-81) in the final 39 seconds but the Dragons couldn't get any closer with the Huskies making the most of their opportunities at the charity stripe. Northeastern went 32 of 44 at the free throw line.

The loss marked the final game for six Drexel seniors, all who saw the floor in their final game. Fouch finished 11-for-20 from the floor and ended his career with 1,744 career points. Massenat ended his Drexel career with 1,646 points and 548 assists. Dartaye Ruffin had five points in his final game and will end his career seventh all-time in rebounds with 831. Goran Pantovic made the most of his opportunity in the game, blocking three shots and tying for the team-lead with seven rebounds. Stevan Manojlovic and Jaker Lerner each got in the game during the final minute. The Dragons seniors won 79 games in their career.

Freshman Rodney Williams finished in double figures with 11 points and added seven rebounds and four blocks. Drexel shots 46 percent from the floor, but the Huskies finished the game shooting 52 percent, including 65 percent over the final 20 minutes.