Women's Basketball Bounces Back Against Elon

Sunday, March 3

Daskalakis Athletic Center

2 p.m.

Drexel University

20-6

Elon

8-18

Elon

Drexel

3/3/2019 3:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – The Drexel women's basketball team bounced back nicely from the tough end to their 12-game winning streak two nights ago, taking control early and finishing off the season sweep of Elon on Sunday afternoon at the Daskalakis Athletic Center, 68-45. The Senior Day victory was highlighted by strong efforts from both members of the senior class, as Eline Maesschalck and Tereza Kracikova made the most of their first starts of the season.

Maesschalck finished with nine points, a season high, thanks to a trio of three-pointers, adding a steal and a block. Kracikova scored four with six rebounds to go along with a block and an assist. The Dragons (21-6, 13-3) were led by Bailey Greenberg for a 23rd time in 27 games as the junior scored 18 in an efficient outing that saw her go 7-for-10 from the floor with four rebounds in 20 minutes.

In all, 10 different Dragons scored points. Hannah Nihill added nine with four assists, and Maura Hendrixson drained three three-pointers for nine points with two assists and two rebounds. Niki Metzel added eight points, five rebounds and two assists, Kayla Bacon scored four with two steals and two rebounds and Ana Ferariu added three points and five rebounds. Aubree Brown scored just two, but dished out a game-high five assists. Mariah Leonard did not score but had two boards and an assist, and Kate Connolly chipped in a rebound.

The Dragons forced 14 Elon turnovers and held the Phoenix without a three-pointer. Elon went 0-for-5 from long range, the first time a Drexel opponent has failed to hit at least one three since Saint Joseph's on Dec. 13, 2015. Despite allowing a season-high 77 point in triple overtime on Friday night, Drexel came into play on Sunday as the nation's leader in scoring defense by two full points over second-place VCU, and improved its average to 48.6 points per game allowed.

The win was the 200th conference victory of head coach Denise Dillon's career. She joins Wendy Larry (Old Dominion), Kenny Brooks (James Madison) and Tina Martin (Delaware) as the only CAA coaches with at least 200 career wins in regular season and postseason conference play.

Drexel raced out to an early lead that it would never relinquish. The Dragons scored the game's first seven points and led 11-4 by the first media timoeut. Both seniors got into the mix early, with Maesschalck burying her first three of the day and Kracikova putting back an offensive rebound. Drexel ultimately made it a 14-4 run to start the game, with Greenberg netting six in the early run.

Leading 14-8 late in the first quarter, the Dragons opened a 16-2 burst that essentially put the game away when Bacon knocked down a buzzer-beating jumper from the right baseline. In all, Elon was held to just one traditional made field goal over a span of 10:51 during the first and second quarters. They were credited with two buckets during that stretch, but one was deflected up and in by a Drexel defender who got a hand on a pass during an Elon fast-break attempt.

The Dragons outrebounded Elon 38-25 for the game including 11 offensive boards. They converted that into a 17-5 advantage in second-chance points.

Drexel, which still has an outside chance of earning a share of the regular season championship and potentially a top seed in the upcoming CAA Tournament, now embarks on a challenging final week of the regular season as the Dragons visit first-place James Madison and third place Towson. The Dragons can ensure at least second place with a win in either game, and would need to win both with James Madison also losing its finale against Delaware to tie the Dukes for the regular season crown for a second consecutive season.

The matchup at James Madison is Thursday evening at 7 p.m. Drexel concludes its regular season on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Towson.