Drexel women match men’s squad, headed to NCAA tournament for first time since 2009 after win against Delaware

There’s something about Drexel and the third quarter. The Dragons have created a spark in that period several times this season.

Drexel’s women’s team was down nine points at the half in the Colonial Athletic Association final on Saturday before it held top-seeded Delaware to five points in the third quarter. The Dragons took the lead and didn’t trail again as they defeated the Blue Hens, 63-52, in Elon, N.C.

“It’s been [that way] all year long” coach Amy Mallon said. “That third quarter seems to be our quarter. I knew we could do it.”

» READ MORE: Career-high 35 points by Keishana Washington send Drexel women to CAA title game

Drexel’s two stars stepped up when it mattered most. Keishana Washington was named the CAA tournament’s most outstanding player after she scored 30 points. It was her second straight game of more than 30 points after her previous career high was 27. The Dragons won their first CAA title since 2009.

Washington scored 10 points in the fourth quarter on 4-for-6 shooting for Drexel (14-8, 8-6 CAA).

“[My teammates and coaches] trust me with the ball in my hands,” Washington said. “They expect me to make plays, and I think I did a good job of that.”

Hannah Nihill’s defense and scoring were just as important. Nihill was scoreless and had one steal in the first half. She scored 14 points and finished with four steals. This came after playing the full 45 minutes of Friday’s game.

“She’s amazing,” Mallon said. “In my career as a player or coach, I’ve never seen a player that can do what she does and change the tone of a game with her defense.”

» READ MORE: Drexel brings the madness into March with its first NCAA men’s tournament bid since 1996 | Mike Jensen

Delaware (21-4, 16-2) used its size to to dominate on the boards, but the Dragons were pesky enough to limit the impact. The Blue Hens had as many offensive rebounds (22) as Drexel had defensive rebounds (22). Drexel limited the impact of those boards with an interesting game plan. Mallon knew that Delaware had the advantage on the boards, so she instructed her team to grab the ball when the Blue Hens came down with it. Drexel ended up forcing several jump balls.

Delaware’s Jasmine Dickey, the CAA’s leading scorer, tallied a season-low 10 points on 4-for-23 shooting. Her previous season-low of 11 points also came against Drexel.

Drexel has displayed tenacity throughout the pandemic-riddled season. The Dragons lost former head coach Denise Dillon to Villanova, along with one of the school’s most productive senior classes. Bailey Greenberg and Aubree Brown tied the program record with 96 wins. They also lost starter Maura Hendrixson to an injury.

Drexel’s men’s and women’s basketball teams will both be in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. At one point, the two teams were the only people on campus. Now the men’s team gas already headed to Indianapolis, and the women will be going to San Antonio, Texas.

“I can’t wait to see them,” Mallon said. “Our teams are really close.”