Drexel University Athletics
Friday, March 19
Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis, Ind.
1:15 p.m.
Drexel University
12-8,4-5CAA
49
vs
78
Illinois
24-6,16-4Big Ten
1
2
F
Drexel
21
28
49
Illinois
39
39
78
Photo by: 2021 NCAA Photos
Top-Seeded Illini Advance Past Drexel in First Round of NCAA Tournament
3/19/2021 3:08:00 PM | Men's Basketball
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Drexel's storybook month came to an end on Friday afternoon at the hands of Illinois. The top-seeded Fighting Illini showed why they are national championship contenders with a 78-49 win at Farmers Coliseum. Xavier Bell led the Dragons with 12 points, while James Butler had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Drexel's postseason is presented by GIANT.
The Dragons (12-8) held an early 8-7 lead after Xavier Bell sank a 3-pointer off an offensive rebound. It was the last lead the Dragons would hold. Illinois (24-6) rattled off 10 straight points, keyed by six straight by Kofi Cockburn. His final two points came on a vicious dunk. The Dragons ended the stretch with a Zach Walton 3-pointer. The Illini defense held Drexel to just one field goal over the final five minutes of the half and Illinois led 39-21 at the break.
Drexel made just eight field goals in the first half and shot 22 percent from the floor. On the other end, after a slow start the Illini shot 55 percent and had balanced scoring across the board. Walton had six points to lead Drexel.
The second half was all Illinois. The second-ranked team in the nation went on a 17-4 run to start the second half and held a comfortable lead the rest of the way.
Bell, just a freshman, reached double figures in scoring for the third straight game and the fourth time in the last six contests. Butler, against one of the toughest big men in the nation, was 5-for-12 shooting. He moved into seventh on Drexel's career rebounding list on his way to the 33rd double-double of his career. Walton, playing in his final game, scored eight points and chipped in with five rebounds.
Illinois finished the night with 36 field goals and shot 57 percent. Cockburn was 8-for-11 from the floor and finished with a team-high 18 points. Ayo Dosunmo scored 17 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and handed out six assists without committing a turnover. Trent Frazier and Adam Miller finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Drexel finished the year with a 12-8 record.
The Dragons (12-8) held an early 8-7 lead after Xavier Bell sank a 3-pointer off an offensive rebound. It was the last lead the Dragons would hold. Illinois (24-6) rattled off 10 straight points, keyed by six straight by Kofi Cockburn. His final two points came on a vicious dunk. The Dragons ended the stretch with a Zach Walton 3-pointer. The Illini defense held Drexel to just one field goal over the final five minutes of the half and Illinois led 39-21 at the break.
Drexel made just eight field goals in the first half and shot 22 percent from the floor. On the other end, after a slow start the Illini shot 55 percent and had balanced scoring across the board. Walton had six points to lead Drexel.
The second half was all Illinois. The second-ranked team in the nation went on a 17-4 run to start the second half and held a comfortable lead the rest of the way.
Bell, just a freshman, reached double figures in scoring for the third straight game and the fourth time in the last six contests. Butler, against one of the toughest big men in the nation, was 5-for-12 shooting. He moved into seventh on Drexel's career rebounding list on his way to the 33rd double-double of his career. Walton, playing in his final game, scored eight points and chipped in with five rebounds.
Illinois finished the night with 36 field goals and shot 57 percent. Cockburn was 8-for-11 from the floor and finished with a team-high 18 points. Ayo Dosunmo scored 17 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and handed out six assists without committing a turnover. Trent Frazier and Adam Miller finished with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Drexel finished the year with a 12-8 record.
Team Stats
Drexel
Illini
FG%
.306
.571
3FG%
.350
.333
FT%
1.000
.500
RB
32
40
TO
11
5
STL
2
5
Game Leaders
Pts
12
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
10
FGM
5
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
A Day In The Life of Moses Hipps
Wednesday, August 27
Drexel Men's Basketball Kobe Magee's Morning
Thursday, March 20
Drexel's Autocomplete With Men's Basketball Coach Zach Spiker
Tuesday, March 18
"A to Z: With Coaches Amy Mallon & Zach Spiker" Season 2 Episode 1 - Success After Drexel
Wednesday, March 05