Women's Basketball Falters at Saint Joseph's, 53-46

Sunday, December 13

Hagan Arena

2:00 p.m.

Drexel University

3-5

Saint Joseph's

4-4

Drexel

Saint Joseph's

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Women's Basketball Falters at Saint Joseph's, 53-46

12/13/2015 4:20:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – In a game that was tight throughout, the Drexel women's basketball team could not string together enough baskets to take a lead in the second half as they fell at Saint Joseph's on Sunday, 53-46. Drexel trailed by five or less for most of the second half, but was just 4-for-18 in the fourth quarter as they could not get over the hump.

Rachel Pearson had 20 points to lead the way for Drexel, but she was the only Dragon in double figures. Sarah Curran added seven points but was sidelined for much of the day with foul trouble and ultimately fouled out with less than 20 seconds remaining in the contest. Tereza Kracikova displayed a little more of the promise that has Denise Dillon and her coaching staff excited about the freshman from the Czech Republic. She finished with six points, a career high, and seven rebounds while playing excellent defense on the inside.

Drexel, which came into the day one of the ten best programs in the country with a .776 free throw percentage, hit just seven of 14 from the charity stripe and did not go 2-for-2 from the line at any point on Sunday. Saint Joseph's, which did not hit a three-pointer all day, also did not shoot at a high percentage, but go to the free throw line 25 times and hit 17 of those to provide the margin.

The Dragons scored the game's first six points on a pair of three-pointers from Jessica Pellechio and Meghan Creighton, but Saint Joseph's quickly recovered. The Hawks did not hit a three-point attempt in the first half, but were able to work the ball inside for several lay-ups.

The Dragons went into the second quarter up by four, but Saint Joseph's shot 50.0 percent (6-for-12) in the second period. The Hawks' lead grew as high as seven points when Sarah Fairbanks converted a three-point play to make it 26-19, but Drexel fought back, thanks in large part to Rachel Pearson. The senior scored 10 points in the first half, hitting two of her three attempts from beyond the arc, and Drexel went into intermission down just three, 26-23.

Though it did not show up in the box score, Kracikova dominated the inside on the defensive end in the third quarter. She disrupted Saint Joseph's passing lanes, forced awkward shots and came up with rebounds to get Drexel possessions started. Still, the Hawks remained on top by four at the end of the third as Drexel's offense remained stagnant.

Those offensive struggles would ultimately cost the Dragons. Even in the game's final minutes, with the Hawks ahead by two possessions, Drexel was able to get turnovers and open looks that could have tightened the pressure on Saint Joseph's. The Dragons could not convert, though, and Saint Joseph's righted itself in time to hit some free throws and extend the final margin to seven, 53-46.

The Dragons are now 0-2 against Philadelphia opponents, having fallen to Villanova in the opening game of the Christmas City Classic. Drexel will try to get its first city win on Saturday when the Dragons make the short walk down 33rd Street to the Palestra to take on Penn. That game will tip off at noon.