PHILADELPHIA, PA. 2/6/2020 – The Drexel Dragons men’s basketball team snapped their three-game losing streak with a 78 – 67 win over the Dukes of James Madison University at the DAC where the Dragons are 10 – 2 this season.
James Butler led a multi-player Drexel attack getting his 16th double-double of the season with 18 points and 14 rebounds. Four other Dragons scored in double-digits as Sam Green, Zach Walton, and Camren Wynter each scored 11 points. Mate Okros scored 9 and Coltrane Washington added 8 points.
“It speaks to our balance,” said Drexel Coach Zach Spiker. “Having 20 assists on 29 baskets, we are one of the best in the nation at sharing it.”
Seven Drexel players had an assist.
The Dragons came out strong establishing a 13 – 1 lead and held the Dukes without a field goal for over four minutes. JMU missed their first seven shots. The lead would shrink to 7-points four times during the game. The last was at the 10 minute mark of the second half. Drexel responded with a 10 – 3 run to take control of the game.
“It was huge,” said Butler about the Dragons start. “In the games we lost we’ve come out slower. A quick start like that sets the tempo early. It was what we focused on prior to the game.”
Defensively, the Dragons held the Dukes to 40% shooting and allowed only a solitary three-point basket. Meanwhile, Drexel had 11 from beyond the arc. The Dragons are one of the better teams in the CAA in guarding the line.
“If you don’t let them get a three, that’s a way better chance of winning basketball games,” Spiker said.
Deshon Parker scored a game and career-high 23 points and Matt Lewis, the Dukes leading scorer, contributed 15. Both players attacked the basket, but were a combined 5 of 9 from the free throw line.
“We did a good of not fouling considering the number of times that Lewis and Parker were driving,” said Spiker. “We were able to not get too many fouls.”
Drexel improves to 13 – 11 on the season and are 6 – 5 in the league. An important win as the team tries to get into the upper half of the CAA standings. The Dragons host the Towson Tigers in Saturday at home.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
3 game losing streak
hoping to break into upper half of the CAA Standings
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