Drexel Shuts Down Hampton Late for a 72 – 57
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 1/5/2024 –
The Drexel Dragons started their league schedule hosting the Hampton Pirates at the DAC. Drexel won the game behind 22 points by Brooke Mullin and three other players who posted double figures.
“We’re really proud of the team effort,” said Drexel Coach Amy Mallon. “We have four players in double figures, and that’s a stat that any coach wants to see, especially at this time of year.”
“So really happy with overall offensive performance. An defensively we’re doing what we need to do to put ourselves in position to win the game today.”
Drexel Kept the Lead
But the game was decided by the Drexel defense. The Dragons never trailed, but needed to withstand numerous charges by the Pirates. Hampton cut the lead to two points on four different times in the third quarter. The last time with just over two minutes remaining on a basket by Camryn Hill, who scored 24 of her career-high tying 26 points, prior to the last ten minutes. Drexel responded by closing out the quarter scoring 5 of the next 7 points to take a 51 – 46 lead. It was a question of answering each charge.
“It’s really important in our huddle is to be focused on our goals for the game,” Mullin said about the team resilience. Set goals on how many we want them to score and continue to get stops. We want to get three stops in a row.”
Fourth Quarter Belonged to the Hosts
The Dragons won the last quarter holding Hampton without a basket until just over two and a half minutes remained. The 13 – 4 run gave Drexel a 64 – 50 lead and control of the game. Mullin scored 7 points in that stretch. The points from Hill came at the free throw line. Credit to the defense.
“It was just staying focused and getting stops,” said Mullin. “You knew number zero (Hill) was getting all the looks and we had to focus in on her trying to make it difficult for her to miss shots and take difficult shots.”
“We always say that’s where we get our offense,” Mallon said. “Today was an example of us continuing to grind away. Our defense certainly led to opportunities for us on offense.”
What the Numbers Say
Mullin scored her 22 points on 8 of 14 shooting, 2 of 4 from beyond the arc. The guard went 4 of 6 at the foul line. She took down 4 rebounds and handed out 3 assists and 2 blocked shots. In addition to Mullin Drexel got double figures from Jasmine Valentine whose 10 points are a career-high. Guard Momo LaClair tied her collegiate-best scoring 12 points sinking 4 of 6 from both the floor and the free throw line. Grace O’Neill scored 10 for the Dragons.
Hill’s 26 points tied the most points scored by a player against the Dragons. Talya Brugler of Saint Joseph’s also posted 26 points. The Pirates guard scored 13 consecutive of her team’s points in the second quarter. She also had 9 third quarter points. But Drexel held Hill to only two free throws in the fourth quarter. Drexel had different players assigned to one on one defense causing limiting her to 3 field goal attempts and no baskets.
“The best thing about this team was everyone wanted the responsibility of guarding zero (Hill) or wanted to try,” Mallon said about defending Hill.
Up Next
Hampton is still looking for their first win in 11 tries.
Drexel evens their record at 6 – 6. Northeastern comes to the DAC for a Sunday game.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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