Drexel's Late Comeback Comes up Short Against William & Mary

Saturday, January 22

Philadelphia, Pa.

2 p.m.

Drexel University

8-8,3-3CAA

William & Mary

4-15,3-3CAA

William & Mary

Drexel

Drexel's Late Comeback Comes up Short Against William & Mary

1/22/2022 4:06:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – William & Mary held off a late Drexel run to defeat the Dragons, 83-75, on Homecoming at the Daskalakis Athletic Center. The Dragons trailed by 21 with 6:42 to play, but scored 17-straight points to make it a game. The Tribe was able to get a few stops on the defensive end and make free throws in the final minute to earn the road win.

William & Mary (4-15, 3-3 CAA) led by just six points at intermission despite holding Drexel to just 32 percent shooting in the half. The Tribe used a 13-2 run early in the second half to take a 16-point lead with a little more than 10 minutes to play. The lead would swell to 21 points after Ben Wight knocked down a 3-pointer, putting the Tribe in front, 71-52. That is when Drexel (8-8, 3-3 CAA) started its run. Camren Wynter turned the momentum around with a bucket and, on the Tribe's next possession, had a steal and went the length of the court for another two points. The Dragons made seven straight shots during the 17-0 run, and when Matey Juric drained a 3-pointer with 2:55 to play, it became a four-point game at 72-68.

The Tribe scored four points in a row to increase the lead back to eight, but again the Dragons battled back. Wynter drove the lane for a lay-up and after a Tribe miss, Amari Williams was fouled and made one of two free throws. Drexel continued to press William & Mary and came up with another turnover, which led to a pair of Wynter free throws, cutting the deficit to three with just 1:10 remaining. On the next possession, the Tribe turned it over, giving Drexel the chance to even the score. However, Melik Martin was called for a charge with just 52 seconds remaining in the game. William & Mary then made its free throws, knocking down seven of eight in the final minute to pick up its third league win.

Wynter had another big game for Drexel in the loss. The senior scored 26 points, grabbed seven rebounds and had six assists. He was 8-for-8 from the line and had three steals. Williams scored 15 points, had nine rebounds and swatted four shots. Xavier Bell picked up 12 points, while Melik Martin had eight points and nine rebounds.

Connor Kochera, who had 26 points in his last visit to the DAC, had another strong day with 23 points. Wight picked up a double-double, scoring 21 points and snaring 11 rebounds. William & Mary outrebounded the Dragons by nine and shot 48 percent in the game. The Tribe came into the game shooting 31 percent from behind the arc, but went 8-for-19 on the afternoon. They won the contest despite committing 22 turnovers.

Drexel struggled from the field a game after a 53 percent shooting night against Elon. The Dragons were just 7-for-27 from long range and shot 39 percent overall in the game. Drexel committed an uncharacteristic 18 turnovers.

The Dragons won't play in the Daskalakis Athletic Center again for more than two weeks. They play their next four game on the road, starting on Thursday at James Madison. Drexel will also play at Towson, UNCW and Delaware before returning to the DAC on Feb. 7 against JMU.