Dragons Battle But Come up Just Short at Rutgers, 62-57

Wednesday, November 13

Piscataway, N.J.

8 p.m.

Drexel University

2-2,0-0CAA

Rutgers

3-0,0-0Big Ten

Drexel

Rutgers

Photo by: Gavin Baker

Dragons Battle But Come up Just Short at Rutgers, 62-57

11/13/2019 10:21:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Piscataway, N.J. - Drexel gave Rutgers all it could handle before the Scarlet Knights went on a late seven-point run to take the lead and defeat Drexel, 62-57. The Dragons are now 2-2 on the young season, while Rutgers stayed unbeaten at 3-0.

The Dragons took their final lead of the game at 50-49 with 5:29 to go when Jarvis Doles sank a three-pointer. However, Rutgers answered with seven straight and a 10-2 run to pad the lead down the stretch and escape with the win. The Dragons had some opportunities down the stretch, but the Scarlet Knights blocked two shots late to help seal the victory.

Drexel had trailed earlier in the half by eight after starting the second half just 1-for-12 from the floor. The Dragons, who played well defensively most of the night, hit back-to-back treys by Coletrane Washington and Camren Wynter to even the score at 47-47. Zach Walton led Drexel with 11 points and three blocked shots. He was the only Dragon in double figures. Wynter chipped in with nine points, while Washington had a season-high eight points.

Ron Harper, Jr. scored a game-high 13 points for Rutgers. He was one of four players with at least 10 points. Rutgers sank 20 of its 25 free throw attempts in the game, capitalizing on their size advantage by getting to the line 17 more times than the Dragons.

Defensively, Drexel held the Knights to just 37 percent in the contest and forced 13 Rutgers turnovers. The Scarlet Knights were just 6-for-20 from deep. On the other end, Drexel was held to just 32 percent, but took better care of the basketball on Wednesday, committing only 12 turnovers. After the rough start from the floor in the second half, Drexel closed the game by making eight of its final 11 field-goal attempts.

The Dragons went to intermission with a 31-30 lead after falling behind early by 10. Matey Juric drove the lane and scored with 1:26 left in the half to give the Dragons their first lead. The teams exchanged buckets in the final minute as Drexel took the one-point lead to the break.

Drexel returns to action on Saturday with a road game at Stephen F. Austin on Saturday evening.