Drexel University Athletics
Thursday, March 16
New York, N.Y.
7:00 P.M.
Drexel University
at
Fordham
Photo by: Kyle Ross
Dragons Head to Fordham for WNIT First Round
3/15/2023 5:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Game Info: Thursday, March 16, 2023 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Rose Hill Gym - Bronx, N.Y.
Social Media
@DrexelWBB | @DrexelDragons
Opening Tip
The Drexel women's basketball team continues its season in the WNIT as it travels to face Fordham on Thursday, March 16. Tipoff from Rose Hill Gym in the Bronx is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
WNIT Experience
The Dragons are making their 11th appearance in the postseason WNIT, all of them coming in the last 14 seasons. DU is 11-9 overall in the tournament, winning the championship in 2013 and making its second deepest run ever with a Third Round appearance last year. The players on Drexel's roster have a combined 14 games of WNIT experience spread across the 2019 and 2022 events. Keishana Washington and Maura Hendrixson lead the way with four games apiece.
All-America Wednesday
When she makes the trip to Fordham for the WNIT, Keishana Washington's suitcase will be a little heavier as she earned three major pieces of hardware on Wednesday. The graduate student from Pickering, Ontario was named an Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. It is the second time a Drexel player has earned the highest playing honor as Gabriela Marginean was an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American in 2010. Washington capped her Wednesday of awards by being noted for her combined work in the classroom and on the court as she was selected as a Second Team Academic All-American by College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA.) Washington has a 4.0 GPA in her first year of grad school and posted a 3.74 GPA as an undergrad, earning a degree in psychology. She is the program's second ever Academic All-American, joining Michelle Maslowski who was on the Third Team in 2002. Washington becomes the 21st ever Drexel student-athlete to earn the honor.
Conference Honors
Three members of the team were recognized by the CAA in its postseason awards as announced on March 7. Keishana Washington was named the CAA Player of the Year and to the First Team. Grace O'Neill and Kylie Lavelle were both selected to the All-Rookie Team.
A Tradition Of Excellence
Drexel earned a share of the CAA Regular Season championship, finishing 13-5 in conference. It is the fourth time in six seasons the Dragons have either been outright or CAA Regular Season co-champions.
Last Game - Drexel Drops Heartbreaker to Monmouth in CAA Quarterfinals
Keishana Washington became the NCAA all-time leading scorer among Canadian players, but the Drexel women's basketball team was dealt a heartbreaking 65-59 setback against the Monmouth Hawks in the quarterfinals of the CAA Tournament on March 10.
BY THE NUMBERS
Queen Of The North
By netting 32 points against Monmouth, Keishana Washington became the all-time scoring leader among Canadian players in NCAA history with 2,320 points and counting. In the game, she ascended from third to first by passing Natalie Doma who scored 2,296 for Idaho State from 2004-08 and Karalyn Church who netted 2,317 for Vermont from 1996 through 2000.
Single Season CAA
In the conference quarterfinals, Washington also became just the third player in conference history to score 800 or more points in a season. She now has 815 for the year and joins Elena Della Donne (Delaware – 927 in 2011-12) and Precious Hall (JMU – 841 in 2016-17) as the only Colonial Athletic Association players to accomplish the feat.
Not Just Washington
Maura Hendrixson is also climbing the conference single season charts. She delivered 12 assists on Friday, giving her 231 on the season. That total is fifth most in a single season in the CAA and is the most in the conference in nearly a decade, since Angela Mickens had 250 for James Madison in 2014-15.
Lending A Helping Hand
While Hendrixson has gotten the majority of the attention for her assists this year, as a team, the Dragons have done a good job of sharing the ball. Drexel is 16th nationally with 17.2 assists per game and have the ninth-best assisted shot rate with a helper on 66.7 percent of their made field goals.
Playing Right Away
Grace O'Neill has been a mainstay for the Dragons lineup as a freshman, appearing in all 30 games with 29 starts. Once she steps on the court, she rarely leavs it, averaging 33.9 minutes per game, ranking sixth in the CAA. In the last 20 seasons, only two freshman have averaged more than 30 minutes a game, Narissa Suber (35.1) in 2004-05 and Garbriela Marginean (32.5) in 2006-07.
Scouting Report
Fordham enters play 18-12 overall and went 10-6 in the Atlantic 10. The Rams matched season expectations, earning the No. 4 seed in the A10 tournament after being selected fourth in the league's preseason poll.
The Rams feature a high-powered offensive attack, ranking second in the A10 and just outside the top-50 nationally at 72.3 points per game. A pair of First Team All-Conference performers lead the way in Asiah Dingle and Anna DeWolfe, who net 19.3 and 18.2 points per game, respectively. Providing a third scoring option is Kaitlyn Downey at 10.7 a contest while also pulling in 7.8 rebounds per game. Topping Fordham in boards is Jada Dapaa at 8.0. Dingle bests the team with 96 assists.
Dingle isn't just a threat on the offensive end as she was named the A10 Defensive Player of the Year on the strength of 105 steals, ranking fifth nationally.
As a team, Fordham does a good job of holding on to the ball, committing just 13.8 turnovers per game. They also make their free throws when they get to the line, currently sitting 23rd in NCAA Division I at 77.6 percent. The Rams need to make their free throws when given the chance as they are in the bottom 10 nationally in both free throw attempts and makes per contest.
Candice Green is in her first season with the Rams as the head coach following three years as an assistant.
All-Time Series
Thursday is the fifth all-time matchup between the Dragons and Rams with Fordham holding a 3-1 series lead.
Last Time Against Fordham
Playing in a WNIT game nearly five years ago to the day, Fordham edged Drexel 63-60 on March 18, 2018. Bailey Greenberg led the Dragons with 20 points. Aubree Brown added 14.
20/20/20/20/20/20 Vision
The win against Hofstra on February 24 was the 20th of the season for the Dragons. It is the sixth consecutive full season with 20 or more wins for Drexel, dating to 2016-17.
It's The Final Countdown
Keishana Washington has advanced to a pair of award finalist lists. She was selected as a finalist for the Naismith Hall of Fame/WBCA Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the top shooting guard in the country. Washington is also one of five players chosen as a finalist for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award.
Classroom Kudos
Four members of the Drexel women's basketball team have been selected as College Sports Communicators Academic All-District as announced by the organization on February 21. In alphabetical order, Brianne Borcky (3.95 GPA - Marketing), Chloe Hodges (3.61 GPA - Elementary Education), Hetta Saatman (3.67 GPA - Elementary Education) and Keishana Washington (4.0 GPA grad school; 3.74 GPA undergrad - Psychology) all received the honor.
Up Next
The winner of the matchup between the Dragons and Rams will face off against the advancing team between Columbia and Fairleigh Dickinson at a date, time and location to be determined.
Location: Rose Hill Gym - Bronx, N.Y.
Social Media
@DrexelWBB | @DrexelDragons
Opening Tip
The Drexel women's basketball team continues its season in the WNIT as it travels to face Fordham on Thursday, March 16. Tipoff from Rose Hill Gym in the Bronx is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
WNIT Experience
The Dragons are making their 11th appearance in the postseason WNIT, all of them coming in the last 14 seasons. DU is 11-9 overall in the tournament, winning the championship in 2013 and making its second deepest run ever with a Third Round appearance last year. The players on Drexel's roster have a combined 14 games of WNIT experience spread across the 2019 and 2022 events. Keishana Washington and Maura Hendrixson lead the way with four games apiece.
All-America Wednesday
When she makes the trip to Fordham for the WNIT, Keishana Washington's suitcase will be a little heavier as she earned three major pieces of hardware on Wednesday. The graduate student from Pickering, Ontario was named an Honorable Mention All-American by the Associated Press and the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. It is the second time a Drexel player has earned the highest playing honor as Gabriela Marginean was an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American in 2010. Washington capped her Wednesday of awards by being noted for her combined work in the classroom and on the court as she was selected as a Second Team Academic All-American by College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA.) Washington has a 4.0 GPA in her first year of grad school and posted a 3.74 GPA as an undergrad, earning a degree in psychology. She is the program's second ever Academic All-American, joining Michelle Maslowski who was on the Third Team in 2002. Washington becomes the 21st ever Drexel student-athlete to earn the honor.
Conference Honors
Three members of the team were recognized by the CAA in its postseason awards as announced on March 7. Keishana Washington was named the CAA Player of the Year and to the First Team. Grace O'Neill and Kylie Lavelle were both selected to the All-Rookie Team.
A Tradition Of Excellence
Drexel earned a share of the CAA Regular Season championship, finishing 13-5 in conference. It is the fourth time in six seasons the Dragons have either been outright or CAA Regular Season co-champions.
Last Game - Drexel Drops Heartbreaker to Monmouth in CAA Quarterfinals
Keishana Washington became the NCAA all-time leading scorer among Canadian players, but the Drexel women's basketball team was dealt a heartbreaking 65-59 setback against the Monmouth Hawks in the quarterfinals of the CAA Tournament on March 10.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Washington scored 32 in the contest, her 12th game this season with 30 or more.
- The 17th point Washington scored was her 800th of the season, making her just the third player in CAA history to net 800+ in a year, joining Elena Della Donne (Delaware – 927 in 2011-12) and Precious Hall (JMU – 841 in 2016-17).
- Kylie Lavelle added 16 points, all of them coming in the second half.
- Maura Hendrixson had 12 assists, her eighth game this season with double digit dimes. The 231 assists she has this season are fifth most in a single-season in conference history.
- Jasmine Valentine topped DU with eight rebounds.
Queen Of The North
By netting 32 points against Monmouth, Keishana Washington became the all-time scoring leader among Canadian players in NCAA history with 2,320 points and counting. In the game, she ascended from third to first by passing Natalie Doma who scored 2,296 for Idaho State from 2004-08 and Karalyn Church who netted 2,317 for Vermont from 1996 through 2000.
Single Season CAA
In the conference quarterfinals, Washington also became just the third player in conference history to score 800 or more points in a season. She now has 815 for the year and joins Elena Della Donne (Delaware – 927 in 2011-12) and Precious Hall (JMU – 841 in 2016-17) as the only Colonial Athletic Association players to accomplish the feat.
Not Just Washington
Maura Hendrixson is also climbing the conference single season charts. She delivered 12 assists on Friday, giving her 231 on the season. That total is fifth most in a single season in the CAA and is the most in the conference in nearly a decade, since Angela Mickens had 250 for James Madison in 2014-15.
Lending A Helping Hand
While Hendrixson has gotten the majority of the attention for her assists this year, as a team, the Dragons have done a good job of sharing the ball. Drexel is 16th nationally with 17.2 assists per game and have the ninth-best assisted shot rate with a helper on 66.7 percent of their made field goals.
Playing Right Away
Grace O'Neill has been a mainstay for the Dragons lineup as a freshman, appearing in all 30 games with 29 starts. Once she steps on the court, she rarely leavs it, averaging 33.9 minutes per game, ranking sixth in the CAA. In the last 20 seasons, only two freshman have averaged more than 30 minutes a game, Narissa Suber (35.1) in 2004-05 and Garbriela Marginean (32.5) in 2006-07.
Scouting Report
Fordham enters play 18-12 overall and went 10-6 in the Atlantic 10. The Rams matched season expectations, earning the No. 4 seed in the A10 tournament after being selected fourth in the league's preseason poll.
The Rams feature a high-powered offensive attack, ranking second in the A10 and just outside the top-50 nationally at 72.3 points per game. A pair of First Team All-Conference performers lead the way in Asiah Dingle and Anna DeWolfe, who net 19.3 and 18.2 points per game, respectively. Providing a third scoring option is Kaitlyn Downey at 10.7 a contest while also pulling in 7.8 rebounds per game. Topping Fordham in boards is Jada Dapaa at 8.0. Dingle bests the team with 96 assists.
Dingle isn't just a threat on the offensive end as she was named the A10 Defensive Player of the Year on the strength of 105 steals, ranking fifth nationally.
As a team, Fordham does a good job of holding on to the ball, committing just 13.8 turnovers per game. They also make their free throws when they get to the line, currently sitting 23rd in NCAA Division I at 77.6 percent. The Rams need to make their free throws when given the chance as they are in the bottom 10 nationally in both free throw attempts and makes per contest.
Candice Green is in her first season with the Rams as the head coach following three years as an assistant.
All-Time Series
Thursday is the fifth all-time matchup between the Dragons and Rams with Fordham holding a 3-1 series lead.
Last Time Against Fordham
Playing in a WNIT game nearly five years ago to the day, Fordham edged Drexel 63-60 on March 18, 2018. Bailey Greenberg led the Dragons with 20 points. Aubree Brown added 14.
20/20/20/20/20/20 Vision
The win against Hofstra on February 24 was the 20th of the season for the Dragons. It is the sixth consecutive full season with 20 or more wins for Drexel, dating to 2016-17.
It's The Final Countdown
Keishana Washington has advanced to a pair of award finalist lists. She was selected as a finalist for the Naismith Hall of Fame/WBCA Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the top shooting guard in the country. Washington is also one of five players chosen as a finalist for the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award.
Classroom Kudos
Four members of the Drexel women's basketball team have been selected as College Sports Communicators Academic All-District as announced by the organization on February 21. In alphabetical order, Brianne Borcky (3.95 GPA - Marketing), Chloe Hodges (3.61 GPA - Elementary Education), Hetta Saatman (3.67 GPA - Elementary Education) and Keishana Washington (4.0 GPA grad school; 3.74 GPA undergrad - Psychology) all received the honor.
Up Next
The winner of the matchup between the Dragons and Rams will face off against the advancing team between Columbia and Fairleigh Dickinson at a date, time and location to be determined.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
g
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballDrexel Women's Basketball vs Campbell Game Melt 3-2-25
Sunday, March 02
Drexel Women's Basketball vs Monmouth Game Melt 2-28-25
Friday, February 28
Drexel Women's Basketball vs William & Mary Game Melt 2-14-25
Friday, February 14
Drexel Women's Basketball vs Towson Game Melt 2-2-22
Sunday, February 02