College Basketball: Drexel Looks to Continue Smothering Defense Against VCU
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Drexel picked up its first CAA win of the season on Wednesday night as they dismissed Towson 60-27. The 27 points set a school record at the Division I level for fewest points allowed. It was also the fewest points ever given up in a Colonial Athletic Association game.
Now granted, Towson is in disarray. The Tigers are 0-15 and the loss to Drexel tied the NCAA record for consecutive losses by a Division I team (34). But Drexel still held them to eight field goals. Eight. For the entire game. That's impressive regardless of the opponent.
While the defensive numbers grabbed the headlines, the Dragons also got a great performance in that win from senior big man Samme Givens. He finished with 18 points on 7 of 8 shooting from the floor and head coach Bruiser Flint liked his game.
Listen to Matt Leon's interview with Bruiser Flint in this CBS Philly Sports podcast:
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"Hit some jump shots," Flint tells KYW Newsradio. "He hit some 15-footers, they really sagged off on him, they do that against our big guys a lot. So he knocked that down. If he can consistently do that and then get some things done in the post, then he should be able to do some big things."
Givens leads the Dragons in both scoring (12.8 ppg) and rebounding (7.1 rpg).
Next up for 9-5 Drexel, a Sunday night home game against VCU. Now the Rams have become a premier program in the CAA, and they are very good once again with an 11-4 record, but they are coming off a loss to Georgia State which snapped an eight-game winning streak. Flint says they make you work for forty minutes.
"They're going to pressure you all over the court. They've got some really good athletes. They're going to be ready to play."
An advantage in this game for Drexel is the location of the game. The Dragons are a perfect 5-0 at the DAC this season and Flint wants that success to continue.
"We're playing some of the tougher teams at home this year, so we are hoping that we can defend our home court and do the things we need to do at home."
Drexel and VCU will tip-off at 8:00pm on Sunday night.
