Drexel women battle but Georgia pulls away late to win in first round of NCAA Tournament

The upset recipe was cooking. The Drexel women dominated early against a wounded Georgia basketball roster that was playing a new starting lineup for the first time all season on Monday afternoon.

The Dragons’ defense was unorthodox. The Lady Bulldogs looked lost as they shot 37.5% and had 13 turnovers in the first half.

Georgia adjusted by limiting its turnovers to four and getting the ball to its best player, center Jenna Staiti. The Lady Bulldogs defeated the Dragons, 67-53, at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

“This game is really indicative of our team all season,” Drexel coach Amy Mallon said. “I thought we fought so hard and just left it all out on the floor. It’s what you want to see your team do in their last game.”

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Third-seeded Georgia (21-6) led the nation with 26 games featuring one starting lineup. Arguably Georgia’s two best players, Staiti and Gabby Connally, did not start. Staiti was on a minutes restriction for what were described as medical reasons. Connally was wearing a walking boot earlier in the week, indicating that she’d be limited.

The 14th-seeded Dragons (14-9) took advantage and jumped out to an 8-2 lead before Staiti checked in. Staiti finished the first half scoreless, but Georgia’s adjustment was simple. Drexel led by 15-10 after one quarter and the score was tied at 25 at the half. The Lady Bulldogs let Staiti loose as she played 14 of her 19 minutes in the second half.

Staiti scored 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting. Much of Drexel’s focus was on keeping the 6-foot-4 center out of the paint. She countered by knocking down two threes and midrange jumpers.

“Our goal was to be there every catch for her,” Mallon said. “We were a little slow getting there at times, and she took advantage of it.”

Hannah Nihill led the Dragons with 22 points. She was the lone Dragon to score in double figures.

Keishana Washington had been on a scoring spree, but she spent most of the game being guarded by Que Morrison, the co-SEC defensive player of the year. Washington was held to seven points on 2of-12 shooting.

Drexel shot 36% overall and 3-for-18 on threes. Georgia shot 41% and nailed 15 of 20 free throws. Drexel made its only two free throws.

“One of our messages was to make them earn every basket,” Mallon said. “I thought when you put them on the foul line, you make that a little easier for them.”

If Monday was Nihill’s last game, the senior went out strong. She got to the middle of the floor often and created shots for herself and teammates. She also made 2 of 7 threes and put constant pressure on ballhandlers.

“It’s still something I’m deciding,” said Nihill, who would be eligible to return next season along with all seniors because of the coronavirus pandemic. “Just going to take this time that we have off to do my own thing and revisit it in the future.”

The Dragons have a promising core to build around with Washington, Hetta Saatman, Tori Hyduke, Kate Connolly, and Maura Hendrixson.

“I’m trying not to think about that quite yet,” Mallon said. “I just want to soak in the season and what we accomplished, but that would be something in the future to think about.”