Drexel falls to Tennessee State

NASHVILLE - Drexel has made a habit of letting second-half leads slip away in the early stages of this season.

Nothing changed Tuesday night.

Tennessee State closed with a 21-9 run in the final 4 minutes, 20 seconds to beat the Dragons, 76-66, at the Gentry Center in the first meeting between the two programs.

"They played tougher than we did," Drexel coach Bruiser Flint said. "They beat us on big plays around the basket. They did. It is what it is. That's the way we've been playing, and that's why we've been losing."

Damion Lee scored 18 points to lead Drexel (2-6), which dropped its second in a row and fourth in five games.

Kellen Thornton tallied 20 points to pace the Tigers (4-5).

Tennessee State shot 50 percent from the field compared to 39 percent for the Dragons.

Drexel erased a 36-30 halftime deficit to lead for much of the second half, although its advantage was never more than three. Its last lead came at 57-55 on a Frantz Massenat (15 points) layup with 4:49 to play.

The Dragons, who have lost four games after leading at halftime, were unable to capitalize on a 40-30 rebounding edge, including a 19-8 advantage on the offensive boards.

"We've been losing the same way all season," Flint said. "We're eight games in now. You got to feel we've got to do some things differently. We just haven't been doing them."

Tennessee State seized control once Thornton went to his pump fake on the block to tie it at 57. Drexel had a shot blocked on the other end and couldn't retreat on defense to stop a Jordan Cyphers' layup that put the Tigers in front to stay.