Dragons Fall in CAA Opener at Campbell, 57-54

Thursday, January 2

Buies Creek, N.C.

7 p.m.

Drexel University

8-6,0-1CAA

Campbell

6-8,1-0CAA

Drexel

Campbell

Dragons Fall in CAA Opener at Campbell, 57-54

1/2/2025 9:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Shane Blakeney's 3-point attempt at the buzzer narrowly missed as Campbell defeated Drexel, 57-54, in the Coastal Athletic Association opener for both teams. The Dragons fell to 8-6 on the season, while Campbell improved to 6-8 with the win at Gore Arena.

Campbell's Jasin Sinani hit a contested 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock with 57 seconds to play to give Campbell a 55-53 lead. The Dragons had the chance to tie as after an offensive rebound, Yame Butler drove the lane and was fouled. The senior hit the first of two free throws with 12 seconds left but missed the second. The Dragons were forced to foul and they did, sending Cam Gregory to the line with just nine seconds remaining. He made both to give the Camels a 3-point lead. Drexel raced into the frontcourt and Kobe MaGee fired a long 3-pointer that came up short. Kevon Vanderhorst snared the rebound, found Cole Hargrove who hit an open Blakeney on the wing. The junior had a good look, but his 3-pointer would not fall.

Drexel led early in the second half by eight, but the Dragons weren't able to get their offense going for most of the contest. They shot just 33 percent in the second half and missed all 12 of their second half 3-point attempts. Campbell didn't fare much better from deep in the final 20 minutes. The Camels were just 1-for-10 from deep before Sinani hit what proved to be the game winner.

MaGee led the Dragons with 15 points and had three of the team's five 3-pointers. Hargrove finished the game with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Jason Drake added 11 points.

Colby Duggan led everyone with 19 points. He scored 14 of those 19 in the second half and finished with 11 rebounds, Sinani added 16 points.

Drexel used an 8-0 run to take a nine-point lead, their biggest of the game, at 28-19 with 2:23 to go in the first half. Victor Panov's driving dunk was sandwiched by a pair of Kobe MaGee 3-pointers, accounting for the eight points. Campbell was held scoreless for 4:24 before answering with six straight and chipped the lead down to 31-27 at intermission. MaGee and Drake each had nine points in the half.

The Dragons remain in North Carolina this weekend. They will head to Greensboro and face North Carolina A&T on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.