Dragons Drop Defensive Battle Against Marist

Tuesday, November 9

Philadelphia, Pa.

5:00 P.M.

Drexel University

Marist

Photo by: Gavin Baker / Sideline Photos LLC

11/9/2021 7:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – Tessa Brugler posted a double-double in her Drexel women's basketball debut, but the Dragons dropped a defensive battle to the Marist Red Foxes, 52-50 on Tuesday night.

BY THE NUMBERS

Brugler posted 12 points and 14 rebounds. She also had two assists, a block, and three steals.
Hannah Nihill led DU with 14 points in the game, adding six assists and three steals.
Keishana Washington also reached double figures with 11 points. Mariah Leonard posted a strong overall game with nine points and eight rebounds.
For the contest, Drexel held a 38-33 advantage on the boards, including 14-5 on the offensive glass, but were hurt at the free throw line, as Marist went 12-of-17 while the Dragons were 5-of-7.
The DU defense held the Red Foxes to 38.6 percent shooting for the game and forced 16 turnovers.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trailing by seven entering the fourth, the Dragons methodically began to chip away at the lead by pushing the ball inside. Brugler scored eight of her points in the frame, the last two coming on a pair of free throws that knotted the game at 50-50. After a pair of Marist makes from the line, Drexel could not convert a pair of looks at the buzzer that would have sent the game to overtime.
Both teams shot well to get things started as each squad dropped better than 50 percent of their first eight shots. After a trey by Nihill tied things for the Dragons, Marist closed the opening period on a 6-2 run, taking a 15-11 edge after 10 minutes. The teams traded baskets in the second quarter with each recording five field goals as Drexel trailed 27-22 at intermission.
Early in the third frame, the Dragons started to turn momentum as back-to-back baskets from Nihill pulled DU to 30-29 just more than four minutes in. Drexel continued to play good defense, holding Marist off the board until the latter portion of the quarter.

QUOTABLE
"I have to say that, if you look at the stat line, we did everything possible to put us in a position to win the game today, but unfortunately it was just one of those games where the shots were not falling."
–Head Coach Amy Mallon on the overall game against Marist.

"I think that's something that you see Tessa brings right away. She's going to give us a chance for those second chance opportunities, which she did tonight. I'm really excited about that and Mariah Leonard giving that experience inside, those two I think are really going to bring that."
--Coach Mallon on the post presence of Tessa Brugler and Mariah Leonard.

UP NEXT
The Dragons return to action on Friday when they host City 6 opponent Saint Joseph's at the Daskalakis Athletic Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Prior to the game, the team will unfurl the banners commemorating the 2021 Colonial Athletic Association championship and NCAA tournament appearance.