Dragons Set NCAA Record with 34-Point Comeback to Defeat Delaware

Thursday, February 22

Daskalakis Athletic Center

7 p.m.

Drexel University

Delaware

Photo by: Kevin Rossi

Dragons Set NCAA Record with 34-Point Comeback to Defeat Delaware

2/22/2018 8:48:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Philadelphia – Drexel set an NCAA record by coming back from a 34-point deficit to defeat Delaware, 85-83. Tramaine Isabell made two out of three free throws with 1.5 seconds left to give the Dragons the historic come-from-behind win. The previous record for the biggest comeback came back in 1950, when Duke beat Tulane after trailing by 32 points. Drexel is now 6-11 in CAA play and 12-18 overall, while Delaware dropped a game behind Drexel at 5-12 in league play. The Blue Hens are now 12-18 on the season.

The Dragons closed the game by outscoring the Blue Hens, 22-6, over the last 6:25 and had 10 straight points at one stretch to make it a two-possession game. The 10-0 stretch started and ended with Isabell three-pointers. After trailing for the entire game, the Dragons' Kurk Lee nailed a three-pointer with 4:22 to go and Isabell converted a three-point play on the next possession to tie the game at 79-79. Drexel went ahead for the first time on an Isabell jumper with just under two minutes to go. The teams twice swapped baskets before Isabell was fouled on the three-point attempt in the closing seconds. Delaware had one last chance, but Eric Carter's half court shot hit just backboard and Drexel pulled off the comeback.

Isabell had his sixth double-double of the season and just missed becoming the first Dragon with a triple-double in 16 years. He scored 30 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and handed out nine assists. The junior was 11-for-24 from the floor and committed just one turnover. Sammy Mojica added 16 points and had three of the Dragons nine steals. Troy Harper came off the bench to score 14. He took a big charge during Drexel's comeback and finished 5-for-9 shooting. Lee scored 12 points, grabbed seven board and had three steals.

Delaware's Jacob Cushing hit a three-pointer with 2:36 to go in the first half to give Delaware what seemed to be an insurmountable 53-19 lead. The Dragons were able to close the first half on a 10-3 run, but still trailed 56-29 entering the half. The Blue Hens came into the game last in the CAA in both three-point percentage and three-pointers per game, but were lights out from deep early. Delaware made 10 of 16 three-pointers in the first half and overall, shot 62 percent. Ryan Allen had of his team-high 21 points in the half.

The Hens had four players score at least 14 points on the night. Ryan Daly had 17 points and seven boards. Eric Carter picked up his10th double-double of the year with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Delaware finished the night shooting 51 percent.

The Dragons play their final game of the regular season on Saturday against UNCW. It will be Senior Day at the Daskalakis Athletic Center. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.