Dragons Down No. 18 Villanova for Their First Big 5 Victory

Saturday, December 2

Philadelphia, Pa.

2:00 PM

Drexel University

5-3,0-0CAA

#18 Villanova (Big 5 Classic)

6-3,0-0Big East

Drexel

Villanova

Dragons Down No. 18 Villanova for Their First Big 5 Victory

12/2/2023 4:55:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Amari Williams rejection in the final seconds preserves a 57-55 win

PHILADELPHIA - Amari Williams rejected a Villanova shot with less than two seconds to play as the Dragons defeated the 18th-ranked Wildcats, 57-55, in the Big 5 Classic. Drexel earned its first-ever Big 5 win in their first appearance at the Wells Fargo Center.

Drexel never trailed in the game, but Villanova always remained within striking distance. Lamar Oden, Jr. scored in the lane to give the Dragons a 54-46 lead with 5:26 to play as the Drexel faithful could feel an upset brewing. That excitement waned as the Wildcats answered with seven straight points to make it a one point game with 1:51 to go. On the ensuing possession, the Dragons posted Amari Williams on the right block. He drop-stepped his defender and banked a shot home giving the Dragons a 56-53 advantage with 1:26 remaining.

Jordan Longino answered with a jumper from the right elbow which cut the lead back to one. After a timeout, the Dragons had the ball knocked out of bounds, leaving them with just six seconds remaining on the shot clock. They inbounded the ball to Williams who found Justin Moore who returned the pass to a cutting Williams. The big man was fouled and made one of two free throws with 31 seconds to play in the contest. Villanova came down for the last shot but called timeout with just 6.9 seconds on the clock. They inbounded the ball to the Wildcats' Justin Moore. Moore drove on Lucas Monroe, who held his ground and did not foul. Villanova's Moore went up for the shot over Monroe, but Williams swatted it emphatically to the ground. The rebound bounced out past the foul line and Drexel's Justin Moore grabbed the loose ball. He took two dribbles over half court and flung the ball in the air as the Dragons knocked off their first nationally-ranked opponent since beating Louisville in 2010.

The win was just Drexel's second over their new Big 5 rivals. The teams hadn't met since 2009, when the No. 3 Wildcats downed the Dragons in the Pavilion. Williams led the Dragons with 12 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots. Luke House added 11 and was 3-for-6 from behind the arc.Drexel's Justin Moore chipped in with seven points, six rebounds and four assists. The Dragons shot 49 percent overall and were 8-for-16 from deep.

Eric Dixon had a big day for the Wildcats with 21 points. Longino added 13 points, while Hakim Hart had eight points and eight rebounds. The Dragons' defense held Villanova to just 32.8 percent shooting in the game and the 'Cats were just 5-for-27 from deep. Head coach Zach Spiker's team came into the game ranked 10th in the nation in scoring defense and 11th in field-goal percentage defense. The Dragons improved on those numbers and also gave Spiker his 200th career win.

Drexel led for most of the first half in their first ever appearance at the Wells Fargo Center. The Wildcats' Dixon sank a 3-pointer with 12 seconds to play and was fouled. He converted the four-point play to cut Drexel's lead to just one. Drexel's defense held the 'Cats in check during the first half. Villanova only made eight field goals and the 'Cats didn't helm themselves by missing four of their nine free throw attempts. On the offensive end, the Dragons shot the ball well from deep in the early going, making four of their eight long-range attempts. Luke House nailed two 3-pointers and had eight first-half points.

The Dragons will return to action Tuesday when they visit Princeton. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Jadwin Gymnasium. The Tigers will enter the game undefeated with an 8-0 record.