Men's Basketball Falls on the Road to Saint Joseph's in Opener, 82-81

Friday, November 13

Philadelphia, Pa.

8:00

Drexel University

0-1

Saint Joseph's

1-0

Drexel

Saint Joseph's

Men's Basketball Falls on the Road to Saint Joseph's in Opener, 82-81

11/13/2015 10:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Philadelphia – Saint Joseph's held off a Drexel comeback bid to defeat the Dragons, 82-81, at Hagan Arena in the season-opener for both teams. Drexel trailed by as many as 16 in the game, but kept battling and cut the lead down to four late but the Hawks escaped with the victory. Drexel's Rashann London hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to make it a one-point decision as the Hawks downed Drexel for the fifth straight time.

After a foul-plagued first half on both ends, the Dragons got the lead under 10 halfway through the final half. They were able to keep the game within five to seven points, but were not able to get closer until the final minute. Tavon Allen scored 16 of his team-high 20 points in the second half and was Drexel's main offensive weapon down the stretch. Freshman Terrell Allen, in his first college game, scored 18 points, handed out four assists and had four steals. Kazembe Abif returned to action after almost a year and a half off due to injuries and had eight points and seven rebounds.

The Hawks were led by All-America candidate DeAndre' Bembry, who scored 23 points. He was 11-for-15 from the line. Aaron Brown added 15 points. In the team's first game with the new rules in place, the teams combined to commit 52 fouls. The Hawks were 28-for-39 in the game from the free throw line in the game. Drexel finished 18-for-28 from the line, but made just two of its seven in the second half. Each team shot better than 45 percent in the game from the floor.

Saint Joseph's scored the first five points of the game and opened up a 16-point lead midway through the first half. Drexel's starting big men, Kazembe Abif and Rodney Williams each exited the game in the first five minutes due to foul trouble. The Dragons were able to chip away at the lead with help from its bench. Ahmad Fields scored nine off the bench in the first half as Drexel made it a 33-28 game with four minutes to play in the half. However, the Hawks were able to head to the break ahead by 10 at 44-34.

The Dragons are back in action on Wednesday night. Drexel will host High Point in the home opener at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at 7 p.m.