Dragons Victorious in Friday Night's Home Opener Over Hartford, 87-73

Friday, November 18

Daskalakis Athletic Center

7:00

Drexel University

1-2

Hartford

1-3

Hartford

Drexel

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Dragons Victorious in Friday Night's Home Opener Over Hartford, 87-73

11/18/2016 9:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – The Drexel men's basketball team won its home opener at the Daskalakis Athletic Center on Friday night, 87-73, over Hartford in the Scarlet Knight Showcase. The win is head coach Zach Spiker's first win at Drexel.

The Dragons (1-2) held a three-point halftime edge after going cold for a nearly nine-minute stretch in the first half, but shot better than 58 percent in the second to pull away for the victory. Freshman point guard Kurk Lee and senior big man Rodney Williams combined for 45 points. Lee poured in a career-high 24 points on 10-of-16 shooting, while Williams had 21 points while adding eight rebounds. It is the first time since Freddie Wilson and Tavon Allen on February 28, 2015 that two Dragons scored at least 20 points in a game.

Drexel grabbed the momentum early behind a couple of Williams dunks that got the crowd of 2,025 at the DAC behind the Dragons. The lead grew to 12, capped by a Sammy Mojica three at the 10:51 before Hartford's run. Jalen Ross, who led all scorers with 30 points, scored seven of the Hawks' next 13 points as they went on a 13-0 run over more than four minutes before Kari Jonsson's free throw. The Dragons would not make a field goal until another Mojica three at the 1:59 mark, a span of nearly nine minutes. They would, however, weather the storm and go into the locker room at the half with a 31-28 advantage.

In the second half, the Dragons quickened the pace and got open looks near the basket. While no run went too long, Drexel was able to control the half after Ross cut the Hawks' deficit to one, 36-35, at the 16:50 mark. Lee would take over the Dragons' offense, helping the team to an 11-2 run over the next three minutes. Drexel would continue to grow its lead up to 16, capped by another Lee jumper with 10:30 to play. The Hawks would get the lead under double digits twice, but the Dragons would answer with an emphatic Williams slam with just over three minutes before pulling away for the 87-73 win.

Austin Williams played perhaps the best game of his career, grabbing a career-best 11 rebounds while adding five points and two blocks. Jonsson had career highs with 12 points and five assists. Mojica chipped in with nine points and six boards.

Drexel faces a quick turnaround as it travels to Denton, Texas to take on North Texas on Sunday afternoon in the third of four games in the Scarlet Knight Showcase.