Dragons Come Back Falls Short at Delaware, 76-75

Saturday, January 26

Newark, Del.

2 p.m.

Drexel University

10-12

Delaware

14-8

Drexel

Delaware

Dragons Come Back Falls Short at Delaware, 76-75

1/26/2019 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

NEWARK, Del. - A late Drexel comeback came up just short as Delaware held on for a 76-75 victory over the Dragons on Saturday afternoon. Drexel trailed by 13 with 2:16 to go, but scored nine straight points to make the game interesting. Delaware snapped the stretch with a pair of Kevin Anderson free throws with just 11 seconds to play and escaped with the conference win.

The Blue Hens (14-8, 6-3) seemed in control for most of the contest, but Drexel (10-12, 4-5 CAA) forced 15 Delaware turnovers in the second half that aided in the Dragons' comeback. With the Dragons down 74-61, Alihan Demir started the 9-0 run with a lay-up. After a Hens' turnover, Trevor John knocked down a three-pointer and the next possession, Camren Wynter scored to make it a 74-68 game and force Delaware to call time. Seconds later, Wynter came up with another steal and set up Troy Harper, trimming the deficit to just 74-70 with 1:21 to play. Delaware committed two more turnovers, the second on a Matey Juric steal on a jump ball, and Demir drove to the lane and cut it to two with 11 seconds to go. Anderson was fouled and made both to give the Hens some cushion. John was able to answer with another three, making it 76-75 with three ticks left on the clock. Drexel immediately fouled and Delaware's Ithiel Horton missed the front end of an one-and-one. Demir grabbed the ball took a few dribbles and shot from near midcourt, but was called for a travel with less than a second to go, giving Delaware possession and the victory.

All five Drexel starters scored in double figures. Harper led the way with 16 points. John had 15, all coming on three-pointers, while Demir and James Butler each had 13. Wynter scored 11 points, had five assists and picked up five steals.

Ryan Allen led Delaware with 26 points. He was 10-for-16 from the floor and made four three-pointers. Horton added 19 points, while Anderson finished with 16 points and five rebounds. Eric Carter had a game-high 13 rebounds for UD, who shot 56 percent in the game and ended the day 11-for-21 from long range.

The Dragons trailed by as many as 15 in the first half and went into the half down by 11 at 44-33. Delaware made nine three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes and shot 59 percent overall in the opening stanza.

Drexel will be on the road next week. The Dragons play at William & Mary on Thursday and then visit Elon on Saturday before returning home.