Drexel loses, and the week ahead

Drexel ended the Legends Classic with a 61-54 loss to Cornell on Sunday.

The Dragons battled to take the lead late in the game after a rough start that saw them go 7 minutes from the opening tip without a field goal.

In the second half, Drexel shot 68.2 percent and finally took its first lead, 54-52 on a Derrick Thomas baseline jumper with 2 minutes, 5 seconds remaining. Cornell then showed why it's the defending Ivy League champion. Sophomore Chris Wroblewski swished a three-pointer and the Big Red held on for the victory.

"Give them credit: When your team is experienced you see what happens: there was no panic in those guys," Drexel coach Bruiser Flint said after his team's three-game winning streak was halted. "They made big plays when they needed to."

Although attendance for the Legends Classic was less than legendary — the DAC was less than half full while the Eagles were playing the Redskins — Drexel won two of three games.

Playing three home games was the reason for hosting the tournament. Normally, finding nonconference opponents willing to play at the cozy DAC is as difficult as trying to rake acorns with a broom.

AROUND THE CITY: THE WEEK AHEAD

MONDAY

Saint Joseph's at Rider, 7

TUESDAY

Temple at Western Michigan, 7

WEDNESDAY

Drexel at Villanova, 7

THURSDAY

Lafayette at La Salle, 7

FRIDAY

Penn at Navy, 7

SATURDAY

Northeastern at Drexel, 4

Penn St. at Temple, 4

SUNDAY

Hartford at La Salle, 2

Saint Joseph's at Cornell, 2

Villanova at Maryland, 7:30 (Washington, D.C.)