PHILADELPHIA, PA. 11/11/2018 – There was not going to be a lot of points scored in the game. It would matter of which team would have the advantage on defense that would provide the margin of victory. The Drexel Dragons used that end of the floor to get a 51 – 34 win over the Hawks of Saint Joseph’s at the DAC.
“It was a defensive battle out there,” said Drexel Coach Denise Dillon. “This team is learning quickly how important it is for us on the defensive end. Knowing it would be a possession game and a battle against a rival in Saint Joe’s I was pleased with the defensive effort from start to finish.”
The Dragons limited the Hawks to 26% shooting and caused 19 turnovers that led to 21 – 6 DU edge in points off turnovers.
The first quarter was a huge indicator as Drexel kept Saint Joe’s from scoring in the opening 10 minutes. It was the first time in Dragons program history that they blanked an opponent in a quarter. Drexel took a 16 – 0 lead before SJU scored at the 9:50 mark of the second quarter on a bucket by Rachel Gartner, two of her career-best 7 points.
“We did a good of trapping, and we talked to each other and got steals,” said Drexel guard Aubree Brown who scored 12 points and stole the ball 4 times.
The Hawks stayed in contention and cut the gap to 33 – 26 after three quarters behind a 9 – 0 run led by guard Alyssa Monaghan who had 7 of her team-high 10 points in that span.
However, Drexel outscored Saint Joe’s 18 – 8 in the final period to secure their third straight win in this series. It was the lowest point total for SJU since a 42 – loss to UMass in January 2005.
Both teams like to shoot the three-pointer, but it did not fall for either squad as they shot a combined 5 of 29 from deep.
Bailey Greenberg scored a game-high in points with 17 and in rebounds with 8. Dragons guards Hannah Nihill and Ana Ferariu each had 7 rebounds.
Lula Roig also set a career-mark for the Hawks with 7 points. Katie Jekot had a team leading 7 rebounds.
Drexel evens their record at 1 – 1 and readies for Bucknell on Thursday. Saint Joseph’s (0 – 2) had a Big Five game next against Penn at the Palestra the same night.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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