Drexel falls to Towson and ex-Neumann-Goretti star

After what Drexel coach Zach Spiker later described as a "hard-fought Colonial Athletic Association game," Spiker found Towson senior and Philadelphia native John Davis at halfcourt.

"As a coach you watch film," Spiker said. "You see teams and you see different players. You admire and appreciate guys that go about it the right way."

In those hard-fought CAA clashes, it's the players such as Davis who make the difference.

The Neumann-Goretti graduate, in his final collegiate game in his hometown, posted a team-high 14 points to go with 10 rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench with Saints coach Carl Arrigale and some former teammates in attendance.

His toughness and veteran poise helped tip the balance in a 69-65 Towson win, the Tigers' fourth in a row and ninth in 10 games since they started 0-4 in CAA play.

These days, Davis, a three-time Catholic League and state champion, isn't practicing. A stress fracture in his left foot - suffered last season - has slowed him down and forced him to a reserve role after starting for almost all of last season. During practice, he rides a stationary bike.

"I think it's my adrenaline that pushes me through [games]," Davis said. "But after the game, like right now, I feel it a lot."

"We ain't winning without him," Towson coach Pat Skerry said, excusing the typical "no practice, no play" rule.

"I'm going to have a hard time at senior day next week. If you had 13 guys like John Davis, you wouldn't need coaches. If we're fortunate enough to get two more wins, he becomes the winningest player in the history of our program.

"I owe him a lot. He came to Towson after we were 1-31 and had a postseason ban. We didn't have a whole lot to sell. I'm forever grateful for that kid."

Drexel (9-18, 3-11), which lost for the fifth time in its last six games, used a 16-4 run to take a 62-61 lead on a Kurk Lee free throw with 2 minutes, 32 seconds to go. But Davis fought his way to the rim at the other end and made a strong finish with his left hand to put the Tigers ahead for good.

Lee led Drexel with 18 points and five assists against one turnover. Sammy Mojica pitched in 15.

Towson (17-10, 9-5) had six players score at least eight points. Freshman Zane Martin, also a Neumann-Goretti graduate, had nine points and four rebounds, contributing to a 41-31 advantage on the glass for Towson.

"I'm proud of the way we fought back," Spiker said. "Eventually, when we get a little more seasoned, we're going to pull these out. But, right now there are things to go through and it's part of our program's journey."

A journey John Davis knows well.