M. Bball Instant Replay: Elon 77, Drexel 67 | The Triangle

M. Bball Instant Replay: Elon 77, Drexel 67

Guard Tavon Allen sizes up the Hofstra University defense during a home game last season. (Ken Chaney - The Triangle)
Guard Tavon Allen sizes up the Hofstra University defense during a home game last season. (Ken Chaney – The Triangle)
A brief comeback attempt from the Drexel men’s basketball team fell wasn’t enough as the Dragons fell to Elon University, 77-67, at the Daskalakis Athletic Center Jan. 3.

After a porous first half on the defensive end, the Dragons found themselves down by 20 points early in the second stanza. But an aggressive showing from junior guard Damion Lee kept head coach James “Bruiser” Flint’s team in the contest for some time.

But a cold streak, paired with an inability to capitalize on mistakes by Elon, felled the Dragons as the second half wore on.

The Phoenix distanced themselves by rediscovering their shooting groove and letting possessions live late into the shot clock, leaving Drexel without ample time to complete the comeback effort.

Drexel has now lost six straight games, tying the longest losing streak of Flint’s 14-year tenure at the school.

Freshman guard Elijah Bryant led all scorers with 32 points on 10-of-20 shooting. Lee led the Dragons with 29 points on 9-of-17 shooting.

First half

Elon exploded on the Dragons from deep in the first half, knocking down 10 three pointers in 20 minutes. Six different Phoenix players hit a three-pointer, including 6-of-9 shooting from deep from freshman Elijah Bryant and junior Tanner Samson.

Junior guard Tavon Allen hit his first three shots from the field, scored the Dragons’ first 10 points, and led all Drexel scorers at halftime with 10 points.

But while Drexel shot a sturdy 10-of-20 from the field, their defense was severely lacking. There was no answer on the defensive end, with a traditionally stout Flint team looking lost and scattered for the whole 20 minutes. In total, eight Elon players scored in the first half.

The Dragons committed 10 turnovers in the first half, and were out-rebounded 15-10, in what could be characterized as the the team’s worst, and least-composed, half of the season to this point.

Performance of the game

Freshman point guard Rashann London continued to impress in his first year as a Dragon, scoring 15 points on 5-of-11 shooting in just 28 minutes. London’s playing time was limited by his three personal fouls, but when he was on the floor the freshman played stellar basketball.

The Dragons were +17 in point differential when London was on the floor, a number made more impressive when considering Drexel lost by 10 points. He committed just one turnover, and is averaging just 2.1 turnovers per game in 12 games this season.

London also added six rebounds and two assists, and knocked down four foul shots.

Inside the box score

The Dragons allowed 11 three pointers, 10 coming in the first half. It tied the most three pointers they allowed all season.

Drexel turned the ball over 19 times against Elon. The Phoenix capitalized on the miscues, scoring 21 points off turnovers.

Elon scored 46 points in the first half, good for 2.3 points per minute. In the second half, the Phoenix scored 31 points, or 1.5 points per minute.

What’s next?

The Dragons (2-10, 0-1) will close out their three-game homestand when The College of William & Mary (7-5, 0-1) visits the DAC on Jan. 5 at 7:00 pm.

Elon (9-5, 1-0) keeps its conference-opening road trip going with a visit to Towson University (7-7, 0-1) on Jan. 5 at 7:00 pm.