Delaware drops Drexel, 80-72

NEWARK, Del. -- Delaware had three players score 20 or more points as the Blue Hens defeated Drexel, 80-72, at the Bob Carpenter Center on Saturday afternoon.

The Dragons (12-11, 5-5 Colonial Athletic Association) trailed by as many as 16 points in the second half before chipping away at the lead down the stretch. They cut it to six on a few occasions, but Delaware (16-7, 6-4) made its free throws down the stretch to defeat Drexel for the fifth straight time at the Carpenter Center. The series has been dominated by the home teams as both teams have won the last five on their home court.

Camren Wynter led Drexel with 22 points. The sophomore came in averaging more than 19 points a game in league play. James Butler had his 15th double-double of the season with 18 points and 16 rebounds. He came into the game third in the country in double-doubles.

Nate Darling, the reigning CAA Player of the Week, led everyone with 27 points. Kevin Anderson and Dylan Painter each scored 20. Painter was 7-for-7 from the floor and also had 10 rebounds.

Delaware finished the game 7-for-18 from deep and shot 52% overall from the floor. Drexel shot 44%, but struggled from deep, making just 5 of 18 from three.

Delaware controlled the first half as the Blue Hens got off to a solid start shooting. Darling had 17 of his points in the first half and had three three-pointers. Anderson added 10 points in the early going as the Hens finished the half shooting 53% from the floor. Drexel closed the half by making five of its last six shots, but trailed by nine.

The Dragons will return home and face James Madison on Thursday night at the Daskalakis Athletic Center.