Dragons Win a Defensive Battle in 49 – 41 Victory Against the Seawolves
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 1/23/2026 –
The Dragons avenged an earlier loss to the Stony Brook Seawolves and upped their conference record to 3 – 3 winning a 49 – 41 defensive battle at the DAC. Drexel forward Deja Evans led the way with 13 points, 9 rebounds, and a career-high tying 5 steals. She had the most steals by a Drexel player in a game this season.
“It’s definitely always a big win when you get it back,” said Evans. “We emphasized it a lot in practice. We came out and did just that.”
Both Teams Had to Rely on Defense
The teams needed to rely on their defensive prowess. Both the Dragons and the Seawolves made a third of their field goal attempts. At one point the cold shooting percentage was equal to the outdoor temperature. Drexel would put the game in the hands of the defense who performed. Stony Brook had 23 turnovers, 10 were by steals. Five Drexel players recorded a swipe. A great teaching point for the team that the defense has to be the constant.
“It was important because we’ve had several games where we were not scoring, and we weren’t able to get the stops we needed in those moments,” said Drexel Coach Amy Mallon. “I think this was a good turning point. This is a really good point of our launch that we are capable of doing that in these moments.”
Key Sequence
Drexel held a 44 – 39 lead late in the fourth quarter. With just under two minutes to play Dragons forward Bria Watkins put up a jump shot that missed. Evans grabbed the offensive rebound. She missed her lay up attempt, but stayed with it to get a second offensive board on the play, then made the follow up at 1:52 to give the home team the decisive basket.
“Those are huge rebounds that we know she is capable of getting and making a difference in the game, and those are the possessions that make the difference,” Mallon said about that sequence.
What the Numbers Say
Drexel forward Laine McGurk scored a total of 12 points, 8 of which in the first quarter. McGurk got the team started on offense which allowed the Dragons to get and sustain the lead.
“It was very important,” Evans said. “I feel like whenever Lanie Starts great or when anybody on our team comes out ready to play, we’re all ready to play.”
McGurk also took down a career-tying 6 rebounds.
Amaris Baker also scored 12 points. Molly Rullo scored 2 points, but handed out a team-high 4 assists, one shy of her collegiate best.
Stony Brook won the battle of the boards 40 – 33. Both teams got 13 off the offensive glass.
For Stony Brook Diaka Berete scored a game-high 15 points for the Seawolves who got to within 5 points late. Berete also pulled down 11 rebounds, a career-best. It was her second double-double of the season. Caitlin Frost recorded a double-double for the fifth time this season getting 10 points and rebounds.
Up Next
Drexel (10 – 7, 3 – 3) has a quick turnaround. Due to the impending storm coming to the region the game against Towson is moved up to Saturday.
“It’s probably more fun than actually practicing tomorrow,” said Mallon.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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