Hot-shooting Drexel feasts on Elon’s turnovers in 77-49 CAA victory

An early second-half surge helped Drexel put the game away as the Dragons defeated Elon, 77-49, at the Daskalakis Athletic Center.

Drexel (8-7, 3-2 Colonial Athletic Association) capitalized on hot three-point shooting and Elon turnovers to grow a 10-point halftime lead. Despite out-rebounding the Dragons by 11, Elon (5-14, 2-4) shot only 33% from the field, including 27% from three-point line.

“This may sound crazy, but I’m not worried about the record,” Drexel head coach Zach Spiker said. “I am worried about the next things we have to take care of.”

Camren Wynter and Amari Williams each scored 17 points, with Williams adding two blocks for the Dragons.

Elon was led by Hunter Woods’ 16 points and Michael Graham’s 17 rebounds.

Shots were falling at a frenetic pace for the Dragons in the first half. Led by Wynter’s two three-pointers, Drexel shot 64% from the three-point line in the half. Following a 13-2 run over a nine-minute span in the opening 20 minutes, the Dragons were able to build a 15-point lead.

“[Shooting] 12-for-20 was probably the best we have shot all season [from three],” Spiker said. “We got good looks.”

Early in the second half, Drexel went on a seven-minute, 14-2 run to grow its lead to 23 points. That surge put the game away for the Dragons.

The Dragons played tight man-to-man, half-court defense for most of the opening half, but challenged Elon to handle the ball with an occasional full-court press. In the second half, the tight defense remained the same. The Phoenix were often forced to take contested shots at the end of the shot clock, forcing three-pointers and fadeaway jumpers to avoid a violation.

“We are just going to have to play hard and pressure the ball,” Spiker said. “There is no substitute for energy and effort. Defensively, for the most part, we had that [energy and effort].”

Not only did Drexel force Elon turnovers, they also capitalized on them offensively. Of Drexel’s 37 first-half points, 20 were scored off of Elon turnovers. The turnovers ignited the Dragons’ transition game. In the first half, Drexel scored 12 fast-break points. Elon had zero.

Drexel center James Butler, who had missed the team’s previous three games because of injury but started every game in which he was healthy, was back in uniform and on the bench Thursday night. He didn’t get into the game, though, as Williams played well, with most of his offensive contributions coming in the second half. The 17 points scored by Williams, a sophomore, were a career high.

“This is our first game back with a full team, so to get this win is a big thing,” Williams said. “Coming out strong in the second half set the tone for us.”

In the first half, Graham, Elon’s starting center, was responsible for the majority of the Phoenix offense, scoring eight straight points during one stretch. After picking up his second foul with eight minutes to play in the first half, Graham took a seat on the bench. Without his presence under the basket, Williams was able to establish himself more.

Drexel continues its homestand on Saturday against William and Mary.