Men's Hoops: Drexel Gets Another Tough Test Against Mason
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Drexel Dragons picked up possibly their best win of the season last time out, holding off Virginia Commonwealth at the DAC on Sunday night (see game story).
The win improved the Dragons to 10-5 on the season and 2-2 in the CAA. But it doesn't get any easier for Drexel tomorrow night as they host perennial conference power George Mason.
The Patriots are 12-4, and a perfect 4-0 in the Colonial Athletic Association. Drexel head coach Bruiser Flint says they bring it at both ends.
"They are the top field-goal percentage offense and the top field-goal percentage defense in the league," Flint told KYW Newsradio today. They are good both offensively and defensively."
And Flint says they have a lot of weapons.
"(Senior forward) Ryan Pearson is probably one of the better players (in the conference), a preseason MVP candidate. (Senior forward) Mike Morrison is one of the best big-men in the league. (Senior guard) Andre Cornelius, who was suspended early in the year, is back now, and they are playing a lot better with him."
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Ryan Pearson leads the Patriots in scoring and rebounding, checking in at more than 18 points and eight caroms per game.
Drexel is getting it done with defense and balance. They are holding opponents to under 56 points per game and under 40 percent shooting from the field.
On offense, four players are scoring at a double-figure pace. Sophomore guard Frantz Massenat is high man at 12.7, followed by senior forward Samme Givens (photo) at 12.2.
Damion Lee is third at a shade over 11 points per contest, and Flint is pleased with the freshman guard's development:
"Everybody tells me, who has watched other teams in the league, that he is probably one of the top two or three freshmen in the league -- and he has played that way."
Drexel and George Mason will tip off at 8:00pm Thursday night at the DAC.
