Women's Basketball Tripped Up at Hofstra, 58-53

Sunday, February 26

Hempstead, N.Y.

2:00 p.m.

Drexel University

20-8, 11-6CAA

Hofstra

12-16, 5-12CAA

Drexel

Hofstra

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

Women's Basketball Tripped Up at Hofstra, 58-53

2/26/2017 4:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – The Drexel women's basketball team dropped its second straight game on Sunday afternoon at Hofstra, falling 58-53. It marks the first time this season that the Dragons have experienced consecutive losses. The game was close throughout but the Dragons trailed for nearly the entire second half as Hofstra fended them off.

Sarah Curran scored 18 points to lead Drexel (20-8, 11-6), and Jessica Pellechio scored all of her 13 points in the second half to keep the Dragons within range. Tereza Kracikova netted seven to match her career high, and Ana Ferariu also scored seven.

Hofstra never led by more than six points, and Drexel could not build a lead greater than four. Despite the close score and the physical nature of the game, Drexel went to the free throw line just eight times two days after setting a season high with 29 trips to the line. The Dragons, who came into the day leading the Colonial Athletic Association with a .758 free throw percentage, only converted on four of their eight attempts.

After spotting the Pride an early 7-2 lead, Drexel scored six straight on three-pointers by Curran and Ferariu to take its first lead of the afternoon, 8-7. Midway through the first quarter, the Dragons had what would prove to be their largest lead of the afternoon when back-to-back Kracikova lay-ups left them ahead 17-13.

Leading 20-17 with just over two minutes to play in the first half, the Dragons allowed Hofstra to rattle off seven quick points over just 60 seconds. The Pride led 24-20 and, though it may not have looked like it, had seized momentum they would never really relinquish.

Hofstra led by one at intermission, and Pellechio began her second-half barrage by putting Drexel back in front with a jumper on the first possession of the second half. After the Pride answered, Pellechio stepped into the first of her three three-pointers to give Drexel a 28-26 lead. It would prove to be the Dragons' final advantage of the afternoon.

Ashunae Durant, who finished with a game-high 25 points, drove inside to score on the ensuing Hofstra trip down the court. A three-pointer put the Pride back in front with 7:33 to play in the third, and though Kelsi Lidge responded with a three-pointer to knot things up, Hofstra was able to take a 33-31 lead 90 seconds later. Though Drexel would cut the Pride's lead to one on five different occasions down the stretch, the Dragons could never get back even or ahead the rest of the way.

Drexel, which came into the game locked into the conference's No. 3 seed, will have one more game in the regular season before heading to Harrisonburg, Va. for the CAA Tournament. That regular season finale comes on Wednesday night when the Dragons make the other Virginia trip, visiting William & Mary for a 7:00 p.m. tip off.