Delaware tops Drexel, 63-59, in CAA women’s title game
Going for a second straight conference title and NCAA berth, the top-seeded Dragons couldn't overcome a seven-point third quarter.
Drexel guard Hannah Nihill (12) sits on the bench during the final seconds of the CAA championship game on Sunday at the Daskalakis Athletic Center.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
by Ariel Simpson, For The Inquirer
Published
Drexel’s late comeback fell short in a 63-59 loss to Delaware in the Colonial Athletic Association’s women’s championship on Sunday at the Dakalaskis Center.
The top-seeded Dragons (26-5, 16-2 CAA) were denied their second straight conference title and NCAA Tournament berth. The Dragons were led by Keishana Washington’s 22 points and Tessa Brugler with 17.
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CAA player of the year Jasmine Dickey led Delaware with 27 points.
Shooting struggles
Delaware jumped out to an 11-2 lead as Drexel struggled to find its rhythm, starting off 0-for-7 from behind the arc.
The Blue Hens shot 47.1% (8-of-17) from three compared to Drexel’s 17.4% (4-of-23).
“We missed open shots that we take all year long,” Drexel coach Amy Mallon said. “In big games, we have to make those shots to win it and that’s really what we were missing.”
Drexel Dragons starters huddle before the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Delaware Blue Hens guard Jasmine Dickey (20) shoots as Drexel Dragons guard Hannah Nihill (12) blocks during the first half of the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Drexel Dragons head coach Amy Mallon yells during the first half of the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Drexel Dragons forward Kate Connolly (20) is helped up by teammates during the first half of the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Delaware Blue Hens guard Jasmine Dickey (20) shoots during the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Drexel Dragons guard Keishana Washington (1) gets fouled by Delaware Blue Hens forward Ty Battle (33) during the second half of the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Drexel Dragons guard Hannah Nihill (12) dodges Delaware Blue Hens guard Paris McBride (4) during the second half of the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Drexel Dragons guard Keishana Washington (1) looks down during the second half of the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Drexel Dragons guard Hannah Nihill (12) and Delaware Blue Hens guard Jasmine Dickey (20) fight over possession during the final seconds of the third period of the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Drexel Dragons guard Maura Hendrixson (22) passes to Drexel Dragons forward Tessa Brugler (3) during the second half of the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Delaware Blue Hens guard Jasmine Dickey (20) and Drexel Dragons guard Keishana Washington (1) collide during the second half of the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Delaware Blue Hens forward Lizzie Oleary (12) blocks Drexel Dragons guard Keishana Washington (1) during the second half of the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Drexel Dragons guard Hannah Nihill (12) heads for the bench during the final seconds of the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Delaware Blue Hens players celebrate winning CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Drexel Dragons guard Hannah Nihill (12) sits on the bench during the final seconds of the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
(right) Drexel Dragons head coach Amy Mallon leaves the court after the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Delaware Blue Hens guards Tara Cousins (2) and Jasmine Dickey (20) celebrate winning the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Delaware Blue Hens players celebrate winning the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Delaware Blue Hens guard Tee Johnson (10) flexes after winning the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Delaware Blue Hens guard Jasmine Dickey (20) holds up a ceremonial ticket after winning the CAA Women's Basketball Tournament Championship game at the Daskalakis Athletic Center at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa. on Sunday, March 13, 2022. The Drexel Dragons lost to the Delaware Blue Hens.Read moreMONICA HERNDON / Staff Photographer
Decisive third quarter
Dickey set the tone for Delaware in the second half with a long three-pointer on the Blue Hens’ first possession, igniting a 10-0 run. Drexel managed just seven points in the third quarter to fall behind 52-38 going into the fourth.
“It was a combination of two things, it was the missed shots and their second chances at the basket,” Mallon said. “That third quarter was a possession game and it got a little out of reach for us.”
Next
Drexel has earned a bid to the WNIT. The tournament field will be announced Sunday night.
