Game Story; Drexel 78, JMU 68

Saturday, February 15

Philadelphia, Pa.

TBA

James Madison University

9-15, 5-9

Drexel

14-9, 9-5

James Madison

Drexel

2/15/2003 3:07:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. (2/15/2003) – Drexel took a 17-4 lead less than nine minutes into the game and went on to beat JMU 78-67. JMU hit for only two field goals during the first nine minutes and trailed 33-10 with 5:41 left in the first half and 47-21 at halftime.

The Dukes outscored Drexel 46-31 during the second half, but after the opening minutes were never closer than nine points – and that was at 76-67 during the final 25 seconds.

JMU had 15 first-half turnovers and shot only 33 percent (9-27) during the period while Drexel hit on 15 of 33 field goal attempts (46 percent) and on 15 of 19 free throws (79 percent).

JMU got a career-high 21 points on nine-of-11 shooting and six rebounds from Ian Caskill and 14 points from Charlie Hatter and 12 from Chris Williams. Caskill surpassed his previous career high of 20 points at Georgetown Nov. 25, 2002. Hatter hit on five of nine shots overall and three of six three-point attempts in his best career scoring effort against a Division I opponent. Hatter also had a season-high four assists and Williams a season-best four steals.

The Dukes shot 57 percent (17-30) during the second half and hit for all of their six three-point field goals during the period. Hatter had three three-pointers and Wes Miller two during the final half.

Drexel shot only 39 percent (23-59) overall but had a 44-33 rebounding advantage and committed only 13 turnovers to JMU's 20. The Dragons had only five turnovers during the first half.

Drexel got 21 points, five assists, five steals and four rebounds from Eric Schmeider and 20 points and 10 rebounds from Robert Battle. The Dragons hit on only four of 16 three-point field goal attempts after connecting for 13 three-pointers when they won 82-62 at JMU Jan. 2.