Dragons Fall in CAA Opener at Elon, 90-75

Saturday, December 30

Elon, N.C.

2 p.m.

Drexel University

6-8, 0-1CAA

Elon

9-5, 1-0CAA

Drexel

Elon

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

12/30/2017 3:35:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Elon, N.C. – Elon raced out to a first half lead and went on to defeat Drexel, 90-75, in the Colonial Athletic Association opener for each team. Kurk Lee scored 18 points, Alihan Demir tied a career-high with 16 points and Austin Williams grabbed 14 rebounds as the Dragons fell to 6-8. Elon is now 9-5 on the season and stayed undefeated at home (5-0).

Drexel found itself in an early hole as the Phoenix came out shooting. With the Dragons down 10-8 early after a Mojica bank shot, the Phoenix went on an 18-2 run and opened up a 28-10 lead just seven minutes in. Despite foul trouble to almost every starter, the Dragons bounced back. Kurk Lee, Troy Harper and Austin Williams each had two fouls fairly early in the game and Miles Overton picked up four first half fouls, one on a technical. That did not hamper the comeback attempt as Drexel closed the half on a 14-3 run to make the score 46-36 at intermission. The Dragons' defense held Elon to just one field goal over the last 5:38 of the half. Elon was a blistering 8-for-16 from long range in the early going and was 12-for-14 from the line in the half. Three Phoenix players reached double digits in scoring by the break.

Drexel chipped away and got it to single digits at the 3:55 mark when Williams made one of two free throws. On the next possession for the Phoenix, Tyler Seibring knocked down another three-pointer and Elon went on to the victory. Elon made all eight of its free throws in the second half as it defeated the Dragons for the fifth time in the last six meetings.

Lee had an efficient 18 points for DU, making four of his six long-range attempts. He also handed out four assists. Demir was 7-for-13 from the floor and added eight rebounds for the Dragons. Troy Harper, in his first game back, had 13 points, while Miles Overton, who also returned to the line-up, had all 11 of his points in the second half.

Elon finished the game 14 for 30 from deep (.467) and shot 49 percent overall in the game. The Phoenix made Drexel pay with outstanding free throw shooting (20-for-22). Dainan Swoope led six players in double figures with 21 points. Seibring added 19 points and 12 rebounds, while Brian Dawkins and Steven Santa Ana added 13.

The injury bug continued to be a problem for the Dragons. While Overton and Harper each returned to the line-up for the first time since November, both Tramaine Isabell and Tyshawn Myles joined Sam Green in sweats on the sidelines due to injuries.

The Dragons stay in North Carolina over the holiday weekend and return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 2. Drexel will play against UNCW at the Trask Coliseum in a 7 p.m. tip before returning home to Philadelphia.