PHILADELPHIA, PA. 12/18/2016 – As expected the game between the Drexel Dragons and the Saint Joseph’s Hawks would be a battle, and it was. Drexel Coach Denise Dillon went with her gut feeling inserting seldom used guard Ana Ferariu into a close contest. Ferariu responded with a career and game high 18 points in just 13 minutes of play to lead Drexel to a 60 – 49 win over Saint Joseph’s at the DAC.
“I am very happy and grateful that I had this opportunity,” said Ferariu. “This is a big team win. We played defense well and then scored points after our stops.”
Ferariu, a native of Brasov, Romania, made 5 of 6 field goal attempts, made her three-pointer, and converted 7 of 8 from the line. She also grabbed 4 rebounds.
The game was played close to the basket, and neither team shot a high percentage. Of the 100 shots taken 75 of them were taken inside the three-point line. Drexel converted 17 of 45 from the field (37.8%) and Saint Joe’s made 21 of 55 (38.2%). Each team knew who to defend. It was the variable, Ferariu, who made the difference.
“We talked about adjusting and we didn’t do it,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Cindy Griffin. “She (Ferariu) had 18 points in 13 minutes.”
Turnovers plagued the Hawks and they committed a season-high 20 in the contest which led to a 24 – 8 edge for the Dragons in points off turnovers.
“You look at them having twenty turnovers shows the defensive intensity we had,” said Drexel Coach Denise Dillon. “We went to our pressure and that created crucial turnovers that we needed. Our defense dictated and got the energy up and offensively we took advantage.”
The other double-figure scorer for the Dragons was forward Kelsi Lidge who scored 10. Season leading scorer Sarah Curran was limited to 6 points and Meghan Creighton had 5.
“We did a great job defensively on their leading scorers,” Griffin said.
The Hawks were led in scoring by forward Chelsea Woods who had 14 points and 8 rebounds. Adashia Franklyn and Alyssa Monaghan each contributed 10 points. Forward Sarah Veilleux took down a career-best 10 rebounds and scored 8 points.
Saint Joe’s (3 – 7) will continue to play CAA schools as the Hawks will host Hofstra on Thursday, then James Madison six days later.
Drexel improves to 6 – 2 and visit Lafayette on Wednesday before playing in the FIU Holiday Tournament a week later.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
Be the first to comment