Panthers Fall to Drexel, 72-53

Women's Basketball Charlie Taylor/Sports Communications

Panthers Fall to Drexel, 72-53

ATLANTA (FEB. 15) ? First-place Drexel posted its eighth straight win and 10th of its last 12 with a 72-53 decision over Georgia State in Colonial Athletic Association action on Sunday at the Sports Arena.

Drexel's season-winning formula was what it used today by shooting 57 percent outside the arc to make 8-of-14 treys and knocking down 18-of-23 free throws at 78.3 percent. Gabriela Marginean, who is No. 3 in the NCAA in scoring at 24 points a game, led with 29 points today to follow her 40-point game on Thursday. The CAA's leading three-point shooter, Jasmina Rosseel, hit 5-of-8 outside the arc today to raise her season total to 70.

Georgia State was hurt by its 30 percent shooting as it got off 13 more shots than Drexel did. The Panthers had 17 offensive rebounds, but were unable to convert and when they got to the free throw line, made just 57 percent on 15-of-26.

Georgia State (11-14, 3-11) was led by Brittany Hollins' 10 points, while point guard Crystal Johnson had nine points and added five assists to her CAA best 131 on the season. Stacie Young came off the bench to add eight points and five rebounds.

Drexel (16-8, 11-2) was topped by Marginean's 29 points and eight rebounds and Rosseel's 20 points as those two combined for 70 percent of the Dragons' points.

“Bottom line, we struggled to put the ball in the basket,” said head coach Lea Henry. “We played hard, but we're just not scoring enough right now. Drexel is a good, solid, smart team and they executed well like they have been lately. We're still adjusting to the loss of our two starting forwards and if McKeller gets back to her former game, we can compete against anyone. This group wants be winners and by doing the right things, it will happen one day soon.”

Georgia State opened the game with a 6-3 lead in the first five minutes, but Drexel quickly went on a 14-0 run behind Rosseel and Marginean. State answered back with Johnson's lead to close to 21-17 with 6:48 in the half. Drexel closed the half with a 12-8 run to take a 33-25 lead into halftime behind Marginean's 17 points.

In the second half, consecutive three's by Rosseel and Marginean got Drexel started on a 17-5 start through the first seven minutes to build the lead to 50-30 at the 13-minute mark. The closest State would come was 56-44 with 5:10 left to play

The Panthers will travel to face 20-win VCU on Thursday evening in Richmond.

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