Men's Basketball Falls at Drexel

Thursday, February 6

Philadelphia, Pa.

7 p.m.

James Madison University

9-14,2-10CAA

Drexel

13-11,6-5CAA

James Madison

Drexel

2/6/2020 11:31:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score @JMUMBasketball JMU MBB on Instagram Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Sophomore guard Deshon Parker had a career performance on Thursday evening, but James Madison dropped a 78-67 decision to Drexel in Colonial Athletic Association men's basketball action at the Daskalakis Athletic Center.

Parker racked up a career-high 23 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals in a complete display to lead the Dukes (9-14, 2-10 CAA), but JMU saw the Dragons (13-11, 6-5 CAA) shoot 47.5% from the floor and his 11 three-pointers to the Dukes' one as it couldn't bounce back from an early deficit.

Junior guard Matt Lewis added 15 points and six boards in the losing effort, while junior forward James Butler led the way for Drexel with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Dragons jumped on top quickly, blitzing to a 13-1 lead in less than four minutes and keeping the Dukes at bay for the remainder of a first half that saw Drexel push the lead to as much as 38-21.

JMU cut things to 43-33 at halftime and to as few as seven multiple times in the second half, but the Dukes would get no closer as Drexel pulled away late.

QUOTING COACH ROWE
"We didn't come out of the locker room the way we needed to and then had lapses at bad times. Good teams like Drexel will take advantage of that, especially on their home court. We have to figure out a way to bring energy from the jump in this league."

QUICK HITS
- Junior guard Darius Banks grabbed two more steals on Thursday, giving him 137 for his career and moving him into a tie for third all-time at JMU with Eric Brent (1983-87). Only David Dupont (145 | 1979-83) and Pierre Curtis (175 | 2006-10) sit ahead of him.
- Junior forward Dwight Wilson grabbed 10 rebounds, giving him 12 such games in his 19 games played in 2019-20.

UP NEXT
The Dukes will remain on the road for the weekend, traveling to Newark to face Delaware in a 2 p.m. matchup on Saturday, Feb. 8. The Blue Hens took down Towson in an 84-78 decision to move to 17-7 (7-4 CAA) on the year.