Drexel holds on to beat Towson, earns fifth seed in CAA tournament

TOWSON, Md. - Drexel controlled long stretches of its game with Towson on Saturday. The Dragons played tough defense, remained patient on offense and dominated in the paint.

But Drexel couldn't pull away. That's why the Dragons needed some crucial defensive plays in the closing moments plus two clutch free throws from Derrick Thomas to hang on for a 66-63 victory over the Tigers before 1,478 at the Towson Center.

This was the Colonial Athletic Association finale for both teams. Drexel finished the regular season with a 20-9 record, 11-7 in the CAA and earned the No. 5 seed.

The Dragons will meet Towson (4-25, 0-18) in the first round of the CAA tournament Friday at 2:30 p.m. The Tigers now have lost 18 straight games.

"I know they've lost a lot of games, but they've got some talent," said Drexel coach Bruiser Flint. "They're a little unlucky because we got lucky tonight. "We know we're going to see them next week, and we better be ready to play."

Thomas led Drexel with 19 points, and Dartaye Ruffin added 15. The Dragons held a 40-29 edge in rebounding, scored 32 points in the paint and finished with 17 second-chance points.

Still, Drexel made only 10 of 18 free throws, and 11 turnovers led to 18 Towson points. The Tigers started fast and led early thanks to the offense of Josh Brown (21 points) and Isaiah Philmore (15 points).

"We had to tell them to calm down, we've just got to play defense," said Drexel forward Daryl McCoy. "Play defense and do what we do . . . and it will work."

McCoy scored eight points but led the Dragons with 13 rebounds as Drexel repeatedly got second chances. Drexel slowly rallied and took the lead for good late in the first half and held a 35-32 edge at the break.

The Dragons appeared to take charge late in the game when Ruffin and McCoy got back-to-back tip-ins. Ruffin followed that with a dunk off another offensive rebound for a 63-56 lead with 3:59 left.

But Towson rallied and cut the lead to 64-63 on two Dre Conner free throws with 39.1 seconds remaining.

Ruffin then got called for walking two seconds later. Towson had a chance to take the lead, but the Tigers missed one layup and two follow-ups thanks mostly to some tough Drexel defense in the lane.

"Defense is our go-to," Thomas said. "That's why we're as good as we are. Our coach stresses defense. Everything must be locking down our opponents."

Thomas followed by making both ends of a one-and-one with 17.5 seconds left for a 66-63 lead before the defense stepped up once more.

Frantz Massenat made a leaping block of Rashawn Polk's three-pointer with seven seconds left. The Dragons then forced Brian Morris to shoot a three-pointer from about 25 feet, and he missed as time expired.