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Drexel’s Grace O’Neill expands leadership role; Brooke Mullin’s scoring dominance

Here are some New Year’s resolutions the Dragon's might seek in 2024.

Drexel's Grace O'Neill (left) and Norfolk State's Da'naijah Williams try for the loose ball during the fourth quarter at the Daskalakis Athletic Center on Nov. 8.
Drexel's Grace O'Neill (left) and Norfolk State's Da'naijah Williams try for the loose ball during the fourth quarter at the Daskalakis Athletic Center on Nov. 8.Read moreSteven M. Falk / Staff Photographer
    by Anders Pryor
    Published 

The Drexel women’s basketball team is 11 games into the post-Keishana Washington era.

The result? A 5-6 record after breaking a three-game losing streak by beating Aracadia, 63-39, on Friday.

As the new year begins, the Dragons shift to Coastal Athletic Association play starting with Friday’s game against Hampton. Here are some things coach Amy Mallon and her team could use:

» READ MORE: Drexel’s Justin Moore leading the way for the Dragons as CAA play begins

O’Neill as a vocal leader

In their first season without Washington, the Dragons are trying to find their footing in the backcourt. So far, sophomore guard Grace O’Neill has added the most stability.

She has demonstrated the ability to run the offense effectively. Her vocal nature is on full display, and everyone seems to be buying into it.

However, the box score doesn’t show that.

The guard is averaging 5.4 points and 4.4 rebounds this season. Last year, she averaged 7.0 points.

Patience is required as O’Neill will need to adjust to more responsibility. But her leadership is clear.

Consistency from Mullin

After a slow start, graduate guard Brooke Mullin has picked up the scoring, as she leads the team by averaging 12.3 points.

Mallon has sought to unleash the shooting ability Mullin possesses but wasn’t on full display during her four seasons at Villanova, where she shot 26.8% (102 of 380) on three-pointers.

That promise has been fulfilled, at least as of recently.

After struggling early, Mullin has since had six double-digit performances, including a career-high 27 points in Drexel’s 65-57 win over Buffalo on Dec. 9.

» READ MORE: Temple cruises past UTSA in its AAC opener as one player hits a career milestone

Room for growth

Freshman guard Laine McGurk, a graduate of West Chester Rustin, has been a pleasant surprise. She ranks fourth on the team in points (7.6), field goal percentage (41.9%), and three-point percentage (30.8%).

After not playing in the first game of the season, McGurk had 12 points in 13 minutes against Delaware State. That impressive debut was followed with 20 points in 18 minutes against La Salle on Nov. 15.

Since then, McGurk’s points and minutes have been inconsistent.