Philadelphia: Conference play in College Basketball is a long battle to see if your team are ready to take the next step which is making the NCAA Tournament. On Thursday night the Drexel Dragons took on the James Madison Dukes from Daskalakis Athletic Center on the campus of Drexel University. The Dragons come into the game at 12-11 (5-5 in CAA) while the Dukes make their way to Philly at 9-13 (2-9 in CAA).
Notes:
The Dragons took down the Duke 78-71 in January 11. That was the first time the Dragons won at James Madison since the 2011-12 season.
Drexel has won the last two games against James Madison at the Daskalakis Athletic Center including a win during the 2018-19 season.
How the game went:
In the first Half, The Dragons would get off to a very fast start as the Duke just did not know what hit them. At one point in the first half, the Dragons established a lead of 17 points on three seperate times with the last one being 38-21 with 4:30 left. The Dragons took a 43-33 lead into halftime.
A very cool play happened in the second half when Drexel’s Zach Walton got fouled from 3 PT range, making the shot in the process, which should be a nominee for Sportscenter Top 10 play.
The Dukes hung around and tried to cut the Dragons lead, getting it down to 8 on two seperate occasions, the last being 57-49 with 10:11 left. The Dragons would continue to make things difficult down the stretch, but this game was all Drexel from the start as they took apart the Dukes 78-67
This was the first time since the 2011-12 season that swept the season series from James Madison.
What comes Next:
The Dragons now stand at 13-11 (6-5 in CAA) and will prepare for a home battle with Towson on February 8 while the Dukes of James Madison falls to 9-14 (2-10 in CAA) and attempt to rebound from this loss as they go on road at Delaware also on February 8.
Final Numbers:
James Butler lead the Dragons with 18 points, also had 14 rebounds
Deshon Parker put in 23 points to lead James Madison
Video:
Drexel James Butler on his 14 Rebounds
Drexel Head Coach Zach Spiker on the win:
