Drexel rocks Cleveland State, 69-49, in Bracketbuster game

CLEVELAND - Drexel made a loud case for a possible at-large NCAA tournament bid on Saturday, blowing out an unfamiliar foe on the road and further adding clout to the quality of its league.

The Dragons (23-5), who extended their win streak to 15 by thumping Cleveland State, 69-49, in a nonconference ESPN Bracketbuster game, have dominated play in the Colonial Athletic Association over the last two months and are in first place with a 12-2 CAA mark.

Despite having sent VCU (last year) and George Mason (2006) to the Final Four, the CAA is predicted by some NCAA bracket analysts to get just the conference tournament champion this year.

"We don't get a lot of respect," Drexel freshman guard Damion Lee said. "We have to earn it. Not only do we have to win out, but we have to play every game like it's a championship game."

Drexel coach Bruiser Flint thought his team certainly did that yesterday.

"We played well in a tough, visiting environment," he said. "It's great that we played well in front of a national audience, but, for us, it's just about continuing to do what we've been doing."

On Saturday, Drexel thumped a Cleveland State team that needed the game just as badly. The Dragons shot out to a 21-5 lead and were never seriously threatened. The game was part of this weekend's made-for-ESPN Bracketbuster series featuring teams that don't normally received national television exposure.

Drexel gave the national audience plenty to watch in tying the school's Division I record for consecutive victories. The Dragons, who finish their CAA schedule with two games this week, have won 21 of their last 22 games. Drexel has also won all four of its Bracketbuster games.

"The thing about the Bracketbuster [series] is that you have to refocus yourself a little bit," said Flint. "You know the teams in your league, but then, all of a sudden, you're on the road, it's early in the morning . . . those are the types of things that help you. But the guys did a good job of preparing and we played pretty well."

Lee had a team-high 18 points, including 13 in the first half when the Dragons shot 50 percent from the floor. The Dragons dominated inside both offensively and defensively, outscoring the Vikings 20-6 in the paint in the first half.

As the Vikings' jumpers failed to fall to begin the game, the Dragons kept pounding the ball inside to Samme Givens and Daryl McCoy. When that didn't lead to a basket, it opened up a lane for Lee and others to drive. Defensively, the Dragons made it difficult for the Vikings to drive to the basket or get any low-post game going.

The Vikings' frontcourt combined for just 12 points. The team was led by guard Trevon Harmon's 23 points.

"It was just high energy," said Lee. "Our game plan was to come out and just jump on top of them first and then just take it from there."

The Dragons' lead got as high as 29 points in the second half.