Damian Lee leads Drexel to 6-2 CAA start. Photo credited to Rick Kauffman of Philahoops.com.

The Northeastern Huskies entered Saturday’s contest at Drexel University having won six of their last seven games.  That run turned their 3-7 record to start the season into 9-8 as they played the Dragons.  Unfortunately for the Huskies, their opponents were just as hot, posting eleven wins in their past twelve games.

Playing before a third consecutive sellout crowd at home, Drexel rode its standard defense and the hot shooting of Derrick Thomas to a 71-53 win.  The six-foot-four guard from New York hit seven of eight field goals, including all five three-point attempts to score 20 points.  Overall the Dragons hit nine of 14 treys, compared to two of ten by the Huskies.

All ten Northeastern players who played scored at least two points, led by Jonathan Lee’s 16.  Conversely, five Dragons accounted for all 71 points: Thomas (20), Samme Givens (19), Damion Lee (17), Frantz Massenat (11) and Dartaye Ruffin (four). 

The Dragons effectively put the game out of reach early in the first half, rushing out to a 25-7 lead nine minutes into the game.  During this stretch, Drexel displayed the mixture of offensive and defensive prowess that can make them unstoppable.  Givens, Thomas and Lee spearheaded the streak as follows:

• Lee scored on a layup on the team’s first possession on an assist from Givens.
• Givens scored a layup on their next possession on an assist from Massenat. 
• After NU took a 5-4 lead, Massenat hit a three-pointer on an assist from Givens.
• On consecutive possessions, Drexel got a three from Lee (assisted by Givens), forced a Huskies turnover, and got their first three of the game from Thomas (assisted by Lee).
• Givens scored on each of Drexel’s next two possessions for a 17-5 lead.
• After two scoreless minutes, Givens made another layup (assisted by Thomas).
• A Reggie Spencer dunk for Northeastern was sandwiched by Thomas three-pointers, resulting in the 25-7 lead.

During one six-minute stretch during that run, the Huskies were held scoreless and committed four of their 13 overall turnovers.  But Coach Bill Coen’s squad fought back, holding Drexel scoreless more than seven minutes (from 10:56 to 3:25).  Jonathan Lee and the Huskies scored 15 consecutive points to pull within three points, and were down only 25-22. 

Coming up big when his team needed a score, Thomas hit his another three to push Drexel’s lead to 28-22 with 3:25 remaining.  This basket allowed the Dragons to play with more confidence, and they would end the half with a 33-25 lead.  Givens and Thomas accounted for 25 of the Dragons’ 33 points.

After the home team would race out to a 44-30 lead in the first four-plus minutes of the second half, the Dragons went through another six-minute stretch where they failed to convert a field goal.  However, they kept the Huskies at bay thanks to forcing personal fouls and converting free throws.  From 15:09 to 11:53, Drexel connected on ten of twelve foul shots, including seven of eight by Damion Lee.

Once Dartaye Ruffin gave Drexel a 56-38 lead with nine minutes remaining, the Dragons’ defense made the difference the rest of the game.  Northeastern scored only three field goals in the last 8:50 of the game, allowing the Dragons to secure a victory.

The Huskies were clearly affected by Drexel’s trademark defense.  While Northeastern shot 38.6% for the game, which is fairly close to their average the previous 17 games (42.5%).  However, they posted assists on only four of their 17 made field goals.  Drexel’s defense seemed to force the Huskies into too many one-on-one shot attempts, cutting off NU passing lanes.

Drexel’s win was even more impressive considering the subpar performance by Chris Fouch.  The main perimeter threat from last year’s team recently appeared to be fully recovered from an injury that sidelined him four games.  The junior was averaging 10.3 points heading into this game.

However, Fouch missed all three shot attempts and committed two turnovers in only twelve minutes.  That Drexel held a double-digit lead much of the game with an off-game from Fouch speaks to their backcourt depth this season.  In addition to his eleven points, Massenat posted seven rebounds and five assists.  Damion Lee contributed two assists and rebounds apiece.  As for Thomas, he complemented his game-high 20 points with six rebounds, four steals and added an assist. 

Against Northeastern, this current Drexel squad displayed an offensive burst that previous teams have lacked.  If the Dragons get consistent play from its backcourt along with quality performances by Givens, this team is good enough offensively to win the CAA tournament this year.

Next Monday Northeastern continues its current road trip with a game at Old Dominion, while Drexel hosts William and Mary.