Game Story; Drexel 71, JMU 58

Saturday, December 1

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James Madison University

1-2, 0-1

Drexel

2-3, 1-0

DREXEL

JAMES MADISON

12/1/2001 11:48:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

HARRISONBURG, Va. (12/1/2001) – Tim Whitworth scored 18 of his career-high 20 points during the second half, and Drexel hit on 20 of 28 final-period free throws as the Dragons defeated JMU 71-58 in the Colonial Athletic Association opener for both teams. Drexel, a former member of the America East Conference, was making its CAA debut.

Whitworth scored eight points to spark a 10-0 run early during the second half that gave the Dragons a 35-27 lead with 13:23 left. He connected for both of his three-pointers and added a two-point basket. The Dragons, who led 25-23 at halftime, took control after David Fanning gave JMU a 27-25 lead with 18:22 to play.

The Drexel lead grew to 47-33 with 9:37 left, thanks in part to JMU fouls that put the Dragons at the free throw line. The Dragons, who were but one of two at the free throw line during the first 20 minutes, made five of six to extend the margin, and Jermiah King pushed the lead to its widest difference with his only three-pointer.

JMU went to a full-court press in an attempt to get back into the game, and the effort helped the Dukes get to within 47-43 with 7:00 to play. However, Phil Goss had a three-pointer on a semi-fastbreak to slow the Dukes' momentum, and JMU got no closer than seven points during the final six minutes.

Drexel scored its last 11 points on 12 attempts from the foul line during the final 2:19 and hit on 21 of 30 free throws overall. JMU hit on only 14 of 26 free throws, including only six of 14 tries during the first half.

The Dukes hit on only 25.9 percent of their first-half shots (7-27) and finished the game by shooting only 31.1 percent (19-61). Drexel wasn't much better at 37.9 percent (22-58) but had seven more free throws and out-rebounded the Dukes 44-40. Drexel turned the ball over 13 times and JMU 11.

King finished with 14 points and Robert Battle 12 for the Dragons. Eric Schmieder had a game- and career-high nine assists and tied for game-high rebounding honors with nine.

Fanning had two three-point field goals during the final two minutes and finished with 20 points to lead JMU in scoring for the third straight contest. Pat Mitchell added 12 points and nine rebounds in his first start of the campaign, and Dwyane Broyles had 10 points and three rebounds. Chris Williams had a career-high nine rebounds, six points and six assists. He played 35 minutes and led JMU in assists for the third straight game.