UNCW Uses Late Run to Defeat Drexel, 69-63

Thursday, February 24

Philadelphia, Pa.

7 p.m.

Drexel University

14-13,9-8CAA

UNCW

20-8,14-3CAA

UNCW

Drexel

2/24/2022 9:33:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Butler Become the Fourth Dragon to Reach 1,000 Points and 1,000 Rebounds

PHILADELPHIA - Amari Williams scored 20 points and grabbed a career-high 19 rebounds, but UNCW used a late 8-0 to edge Drexel, 69-63, at the Daskalakis Athletic Center on Thursday night. James Butler grabbed nine rebounds in the game and became just the fourth Dragon to record 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds.

The Dragons (14-13, 9-8 CAA) took a 59-57 lead in the game with 2:33 to play when Williams grabbed his own missed shot and scored on the rebound. Drexel came up with a stop on the other end and Williams was fouled. The sophomore went to the line and missed the front end of a one-and-one. UNCW (20-8, 14-3) responded with a Mike Okauru 3-pointer, which started an 8-0 run and gave the Seahawks the lead for good. After a Drexel turnover, Jaylen Fornes sank another UNCW 3-pointer making it 63-59. The Dragons couldn't get any closer the rest of the way as the Seahawks remained in first place in the Colonial Athletic Association.

It was a defensive battle all night in a game that featured 14 lead changes and eight ties. UNCW got off to a quick start, scoring the first eight points of the game. Drexel answered with an immediate 15-3 run and the game stayed within seven points the rest of the night. The teams went to intermission deadlocked at 30-30. Williams had a double-double by halftime with 11 points and 12 rebounds. James Baker had all 10 of his points in the opening half.

Williams recorded his fifth double-double of the year. His 19 rebounds were the most by a Drexel player since March of 1996, when Malik Rose snared 19 against Boston University in the NAC Championship game. Williams finished the day 7-for-11 from the floor. Butler finished the night with nine rebounds. He is now just one of 23 Philadelphia Division I players to reach the 1,000-1,000 milestone. The only other Dragons to achieve the feat are Rose, Bob Stephens and Samme Givens.

The Drexel defense held UNCW to just 40 percent shooting, but the Seahawks were able to grab 14 offensive rebounds that lead to 20 second chance points. Drexel did some damage of its own on the offensive glass, picking up a season-high 20 offensive caroms. Overall, the Dragons outrebounded UNCW, 48-34.

Camren Wynter added 14 points for Drexel but was just 6-for-18 from the floor against the tough Seahawks' defense. Xavier Bell chipped with 12 points, while Melik Martin added 11. Drexel made seven of its 17 long-range attempts, but overall shot 39 percent from the floor.

Jaylen Sims led UNCW with 17 points on 5-for-16 shooting. Trazarien White and Okauru each had 14 points. White had a double-double with 11 rebounds. UNCW committed just five turnovers in the contest.

The Dragons will host the College of Charleston on Senior Night on Saturday. The Dragons and Cougars will play at 4 p.m. in the regular-season finale.