Dragons Advance to CAA Title Game for First Time Since 2012

Monday, March 8

Atlantic Union Bank Center, Harrisonburg, Va.

9:30 p.m.

Drexel University

11-7,4-5CAA

Northeastern

10-9,8-2CAA

Drexel

Northeastern

Photo by: Philip Hinds

Dragons Advance to CAA Title Game for First Time Since 2012

3/8/2021 11:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. - For the first time since 2012, the Drexel men's basketball team will be playing in the Colonial Athletic Association title game. Four Dragons scored in double figures as the Dragons defeated Northeastern, 74-67, in the CAA semifinals. Drexel will face Elon on Tuesday night for the right to play in the NCAA Tournament.

Drexel opened up a 13-point lead early in the second half and never trailed down the stretch. However, the Huskies chipped away and cut it to one when Jahmyl Telfort knocked down a 3-pointer with 6:21 to play. Drexel answered when Mate Okros hit back-to-back 3-pointers to increase the lead to 59-54. After a Northeastern miss, James Butler hit his second trey of the game, forcing the Huskies to call time. Northeastern wasn't able to get any closer than five the rest of the way as Drexel advanced to its third CAA championship game.

The Dragons had yet another solid shooting night, especially in the second half. Drexel made five of its six 3-pointes and shot 55 percent over the final 20 minutes of the game. Overall, head coach Zach Spiker's squad made eight of its 16 long-range attempts.

Zach Walton continued his outstanding postseason, leading the team with 15 points. He has six 3-pointers in the two games in Harrisonburg. Camren Wynter added 14 points and four assists. Butler scored 12 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for his sixth double-double of the season. Butler also scored his 1,000^th career point in the game. He also moved into ninth on Drexel's career rebounding list. Xavier Bell turned in a solid performance, shooting 5-for-8 from the floor and scoring 11 points. T.J. Bickerstaff grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds.

Northeastern led for most of the first half before the Dragons turned the momentum late. Walton buried a 3-pointer and on the next possession, Bell sank one of his own to give Drexel a 23-21 lead. Walker answered with a bucket, but the Dragons scored the next eight points to cap a 14-2 run and take a 31-23 lead. Drexel would take a five-point lead to the locker room. Drexel held the Huskies to just one 3-pointer in the first half and shot 50 percent against the league's top defense. Walker and Telfort combined for 25 of the Huskies 29 first-half points.

The Dragons' defense defended the arc well on Monday night. Northeastern came into the game shooting 36 percent from deep, but the Huskies were just 6-for-19 from downtown in the game. Telfort finished with a career-best 30 points, while Walker had 23, but made just one of his eight long-range attempts.

Tuesday's game at the Atlantic Union Bank Center will tip off at 7 p.m. and can be seen live on the CBS Sports Network. The Dragons will be looking to return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1996. Elon will be looking for its first bid since joining the Division I ranks.