Box Score
Norfolk, Va. – Drexel rallied from a 15-point lead in the second half, but Old Dominion forced overtime in the final seconds and defeated the Dragons in double overtime, 75-71.
Old Dominion (13-13, 8-6 CAA) scored the first three points of the second overtime period and took advantage of the Dragons foul troubles. Frank Elegar (Bronx, N.Y./St. Raymond's) fouled out just 30 seconds into the second OT, and the Monarchs didn’t trail again. ODU was up six before Tramayne Hawthorne (Steelton, Pa./Steelton-Highspire) nailed a three-pointer with 37 seconds left. The Dragons pressured Old Dominion and came up with a steal. The ball bounced over to Hawthorne, whose three-pointer to tie just missed. ODU got the rebound and went on to a four-point win.
Drexel (10-16, 3-11 CAA) had what appeared to be the last possession of the first overtime period, but Gerald Colds (New York, N.Y./St. Raymond's) pass to Scott Rodgers (Philadelphia, Pa./Central) was intercepted as Rodgers slipped on a wet spot. The ball came down the other way but Colds thwarted a fast break by getting his hand on the ball. ODU got possession with 1.8 seconds left and threw the inbound towards the basket but Elegar got his hand on it and the teams ended the first overtime tied at 60.
The Dragons trailed 42-27 with 13:49 to play before mounting an impressive comeback. The Dragons defense held Old Dominion without a point for a span of 6:40 as they cut away at the lead. Hawthorne (Steelton, Pa./Steelton-Highspire) hit a three-pointer to cut it to one with just under four minutes to play and Scott Rodgers (Philadelphia, Pa./Central) made a pair of free throws to put Drexel ahead, 49-48,with 3:17 left. The Drexel lead got to five later in the game when Hawthorne hit another trey with 1:02 remaining. However, Old Dominion’s Gerald Lee made a lay-up with 46 seconds left to cut the lead to three. After Drexel missed a shot, the Monarchs got the ball over half court and called time out. ODU inbounded the ball and tied the game with eight tenths of a second left on the clock when Brandon Johnson hit a three-pointer to force the first overtime.
Hawthorne led the Dragons with 21 points. He added seven boards, four steals and tied a season-high with five three-pointers. Rodgers added 13 points, and Elegar finished with 12 points, nine boards and tied a career-high with six blocks. Gerald Lee led the Monarchs with 23 points, ten of them coming in the two overtime periods.
The Dragons conclude their three-game road trip on Saturday afternoon at Delaware. Game-time is set for 2:00 p.m. at the Carpenter Center.