Game story by Mark Gress Jr.

The Tribe can't match Dragons' shooting or magic

Philadelphia, PA- Just 48 hours after Bashir Mason’s 35 foot heave banked-in off of the backboard to give Drexel a 66-64 win over VCU as time expired, lady luck struck again. This time however, it was Jeremiah King providing the magic. While it may have been a lot less dramatic than Mason’s game-winner, King, a senior guard from Passaic, NJ, tossed in a half-court shot as the first half buzzer sounded to give Drexel a 57-35 halftime lead over visiting William and Mary.

The Dragons (7-6, 3-2) were led by senior guard Phil Goss who finished with 21 points and five assists in 24 minutes of play in a 91-65 shellacking of the William and Mary Tribe (5-9, 0-5). Goss, slowed by what he called a “sinus infection”, came off the bench for the first time this season along with senior forward Sean Brooks who finished with nine points and six rebounds in his second game back from a foot injury. Goss, Brooks and a host of other Dragons have been slowed by injuries and illnesses for much of the last few weeks, which makes their current three game winning streak even more impressive.

Coach “Bruiser” Flint explained, "Phil [Goss] hasn't practiced for the last week and a half. Sean [Brooks] is limited in practice. Kenell [Sanchez] is limited in practice. Jeremiah was sick this week. It's been like a MASH unit the last couple of weeks. We haven't gotten to the point where we're used to playing with one another."

Meanwhile, one of Drexel’s “healthier” players, senior small forward Danny Hinds, who has been somewhat restricted with a soft cast, played more than any Dragon against the Tribe and contributed 15 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Hinds’ shooting has actually improved with the soft cast on his left hand. Coach Flint said, “He doesn’t have that much off-hand on the ball. So, now you do what most good shooters do. That guide hand is really just there to hold the ball.”

The Dragons hope they will be able to heal up before their January 19th match-up against George Mason down in Fairfax, Virginia where they have never won.

Back in the 2001-2002 season, Drexel beat George Mason at the Daskalakis Athletic Center 100-69 in what was a record setting day for the Dragons. On January 26, 2002, Tim Whitworth led the Dragons with 38 points hitting seven of the team’s record setting 16 3-pointers.

On Wednesday versus William and Mary, the Dragons made 15 3-pointers, just one shy of tying that all-time record of 16. Goss, Hinds and N.C. State transfer Dominick Mejia hit 10 of the Dragons 13 first half treys who shot an astounding 72% from beyond the arc.

The Dragons will look to continue their strong shooting and hard-nosed defense as they travel down to George Mason University this week. Since joining the CAA in 2001-2002, Drexel is 2-4 against the Patriots with those 4 losses all coming on the road at The Patriot Center.