Justin Moore’s jumper seals Drexel’s dramatic win over College of Charleston

All night, Drexel wasn’t able to get over the hump. The Dragons had hung tough against the Colonial Athletic Association’s top team, College of Charleston, but every time they had a chance to control the game, they couldn’t capitalize. That is until the game’s final seconds.

Trailing by one, Drexel freshman guard Justin Moore had his biggest moment in a Drexel uniform, drilling a jumper to give his team a one-point advantage with 3.5 seconds left. It proved to be the game winner, and the 70-69 victory was the marquee moment of the season for Drexel in front of a packed Daskalakis Athletic Center.

“I’m just very, very, very proud of our players and their attitudes and their efforts,” Drexel head coach Zach Spiker said. “And certainly you saw a young man make one of many big shots in Justin Moore today.”

Big man Amari Williams led the way for Drexel (13-10, 7-4), finishing with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Moore chipped in 16 points, and Coletrane Washington added 13.

Dalton Bolon scored a team-high 19 points for the Cougars (21-3, 9-2), followed by Ben Burnham (14), Ryan Larson (10), and Pat Robinson III (10).

» READ MORE: City 6 men’s tournament takes ‘positive’ step toward happening

Drexel came out with a lot of energy and took a 9-2 lead thanks to three dimes from Williams that led to open layups. Charleston responded, though, the teams going back and forth for a few minutes before the Cougars’ 18-2 run gave them space and propelled them into the half with a 35-27 advantage.

Drexel had a strong second half, staying within striking distance throughout. In the closing minutes, the Dragons made it a one-possession game, and, in the end, Moore closed things out.

After starting the game 0-for-13 from deep, the Dragons made their final two threes of the night, the first coming from Washington to make it a three-point game and the second from Moore to cut the deficit to two with 3 minutes, 9 seconds remaining.

» READ MORE: Drexel’s OT thriller over Delaware the latest in a rivalry that features the greatest comeback in college basketball history

With the game on the line, Drexel turned to its lone freshman starter in Moore. Moore dribbled the ball up the court, his team trailing by one and the clock ticking away. He went to his left, finding a bit of space, and rose up for a midrange jumper that ended up being the game-winner.

“My coaches and my teammates trusted me and put the ball in my hands to make a play,” Moore said postgame. “And, you know, that’s big time, whenever you go out there, just knowing everybody has your back whether it goes in or it doesn’t, so it’s a big help.”

After a brief stop at home, the Dragons play their next two games on the road, starting with Monmouth (3-20, 2-8) on Saturday (NBCSports, FloHoops). Drexel came away with a dominant 67-35 win in the teams’ last meeting on Jan. 7.