Drexel drops conference opener to Delaware

NEWARK, Del. - Drexel was the preseason pick in the Colonial Athletic Association basketball coaches poll, but the Dragons looked nothing like the team to beat in their first conference game.

Failing to take advantage of strength in the frontcourt or to contain one of the top players in the conference, Drexel lost to Delaware, 71-60, on Saturday in the CAA opener for both teams.

Delaware is now 3-3 overall while the Dragons fell to 2-4.

"We are not playing well around the basket and missing a lot of follows and layups and not getting to the line," Drexel coach Bruiser Flint said. "That is the way we are built and the way we like to play, and we have to do a better job."

Drexel senior forward Samme Givens, the only CAA player to average a double-double last year, went scoreless and fouled out while playing 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, Delaware's Jamelle Hagins, a 6-foot-9 junior, had a huge game, with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

Besides its interior problems, Drexel also couldn't solve sophomore guard Devon Saddler, which doesn't make the Dragons unique.

Saddler, who had 27 points in last month's 79-69 loss at Villanova, scored 30 against Drexel and was 4 for 5 from beyond the arc.

"You've got to give the kid credit; he made big plays," Flint said of Saddler. "It wasn't like we left him open or forgot about him. He made tough shots, and that is what good players do."

Drexel point guard Frantz Massenat, who had a team-high 18 points, made two free throws to get the Dragons within 57-51 with 3 minutes, 26 seconds left. Then Saddler scored the Blue Hens' next nine points, extending their lead to 66-55 with 1:37 remaining.

"Coach told me I have to be a leader, so I stepped up to the plate and tried to help my team," said Saddler, now averaging 24.6 points.

Guard Chris Fouch played in only his second game following offseason knee surgery. He had three points, shooting 0 for 9 from the floor.

Flint said Fouch has some rust, but isn't worried about him. The coach couldn't say the same about his interior game, which must improve if the Dragons are to justify their high expectations.