Drexel Falls Short to UC Irvine, 57-47

Wednesday, November 20

Philadelphia, Pa.

6 p.m.

Drexel University

2-0,0-0CAA

UC Irvine

3-1,0-0Big West

UC Irvine

Drexel

11/20/2024 9:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA – A combined 30 points from Amaris Baker and Deja Evans was not enough to lift the Drexel women's basketball team past the UC Irvine Anteaters on Wednesday night at the Daskalakis Athletic Center, 57-47.

BY THE NUMBERS
Baker extended her double-digit scoring streak to 15 games with a 20-point performance, including a 7-for-8 line from the charity stripe. The senior has opened the season with three straight 20-point performances.

Evans scored ten and grabbed six boards, the most since joining Drexel. Her 26-minute game is also a season-high for her.

Molly Lavin scored seven points and tallied four rebounds. Both stats are a season-high for the junior.

While Drexel only had the lead for 1:28, Drexel was within striking distance for the duration of the game. UCI only managed to push its lead to double digits twice and both occurrences came in the fourth frame.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Dragons and Anteaters traded blows in the first quarter. Drexel shot 5-for-11 and scored 14 points, while UCI went 7-for-13 and tallied 16 points. Baker paced the Dragons with six points, while Deja Lee led Irvine with six as well.

At the end of the first half, Irvine was only able to extend its lead to four. Despite the Dragons shooting 2-for-11 on the offensive end, Drexel held the Anteaters to just 4-for-12. The Dragons also forced five turnovers and drew five fouls in the second 10 minutes of play. Evans scored six of Drexel's eight points. The sophomore also grabbed four rebounds. UCI led the Dragons, 26-22 at the end of the half.

Amaris Baker extended her double-digit scoring streak to 15 games to begin the second half. The senior drove to the basket 26 seconds into the quarter and scored her 10^th point of the contest. The Dragons and UCI were neck-and-neck again for the third quarter. The Anteaters outscored the Dragons by one point, 14-13. Drexel's defense held UCI's offense in check, not allowing a basket from the floor for the final five minutes of the quarter. UC Irvine scored a pair of free throws with 3:24 remaining in the quarter.

The fourth quarter was not much different for the two teams. Drexel managed to cut the deficit to three, but Irvine pulled away, pushing its lead to as high as 11 points. The Dragons protected the ball the best in the fourth quarter, only turning the ball over twice, while forcing seven turnovers on the defensive end of the court. The Dragons also created opportunities at the basket, taking twice as many chances from the floor as the Anteaters, 17-9.

UP NEXT
On Saturday, November 23, Drexel travels to North Philadelphia to close out Women's Big 5 pod play against Temple. Action from the Liacouras Center is set for 2 p.m.