Drexel 71, Niagara 58
Game Analysis: It's tough to make a go of it against a quality foe without an inside game. Niagara looked good when its guards were on fire from afar. But when those shots stopped falling the Purple Eagles were lost. Post players Scooter Gillette and Joe Thomas combined for four shots, making three. The rest of the team was 15 for 48. Not that this is anything new. For better or worse, Niagara's always been guard-oriented under Joe Mihalich (save the Juan Mendez years).
Turning Point: Take you pick. Was it Drexel's first 13-0 run? It's second 13-0 run? Or the combined 26-1 stampede?
Player of the Game: Dragons guard Chris Fouch came off the bench in the first half, started the second half and scored 21 of his 24 points after intermission, when he was 5 of 8 from three.
Slower Starters: In the first five minutes of the first half and the first 14 minutes of the second half Niagara went a combined 2 of 21 from the field.
Stat of the Game: Fueled by Fouch, Drexel won the battle of the benches, 26-7.
They Said It: During Drexel's postgame media session attended by coach Bruiser Flint, Damion Lee and Fouch:
Flint: "These two dudes don't play no 'D'. They just shoot. . . . Defense is not one of their priorities."
Lee: "They didn't score for 14 minutes, did they?"
What It Means: Niagara fell to 4-7.
Next Up: The Purple Eagles are off until they face Quinnipiac on the road Dec. 22.
-- Bob DiCesare
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College basketball | Niagara
