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Drexel learning from its win over Louisville

Fresh off a 52-46 victory on Tuesday at 20th-ranked Louisville, the Drexel basketball team was at that city's international airport Wednesday afternoon waiting to board a plane home.

Fresh off a 52-46 victory on Tuesday at 20th-ranked Louisville, the Drexel basketball team was at that city's international airport Wednesday afternoon waiting to board a plane home.

At least one of the Dragons wasn't fazed about pulling off the upset.

"I'm just ready to get home, get some rest, and get ready for our next game," said forward Samme Givens, who had 10 rebounds as Drexel crushed Louisville on the boards, 46-26. "It was another win. A big win, yeah, and we're happy about that."

Drexel's conquest of Louisville on its new home court - the Cardinals' first loss in nine outings at the KFC Yum! Center - gave Drexel its fifth straight victory and raised the Dragons' record to 7-1. A loss at Rhode Island last month is the only blemish on the team's record.

"It was a great feeling," said Drexel guard Chris Fouch, who scored 10 points in support of backcourt mate Gerald Colds' 20 points. "It gives us a lot of confidence going into the rest of the season."

For Drexel coach Bruiser Flint - whose team plays in the mid-major Colonial Athletic Association - it was not the first time he guided the Dragons past an opponent from a high-profile league.

In December 2006, Drexel downed St. Joseph's of the Atlantic Ten at the Palestra and Villanova of the Big East at the Pavilion over a three-day period. Later that month, the Dragons won at Syracuse of the Big East and at Temple of the A-10.

"That team was pretty experienced with juniors and seniors," Flint said. "This team is not experienced. We are pretty much freshmen and sophomores. I thought if we handled the atmosphere, didn't turn the ball over, and rebounded the ball, we could win."

Also key to the win for Drexel was that Flint had his team go away from pushing the ball as usual. That is the style Louisville employs under coach Rick Pitino, and Flint did not want to challenge the Cardinals in a running game.

The Dragons held Louisville to one field goal over the last 8 minutes, 30 seconds to claim their first victory over a ranked team since their streak of four years ago.

The Cardinals wound up shooting 32 percent from the floor. Drexel made 17 off 44 field goal attempts, including six of 14 from three-point range. Both teams shot an ugly 12 for 25 from the free- throw line.

"I wanted to slow the game down because they play very fast," Flint said. "I watched film, and some teams didn't challenge them inside. I thought we could beat them right around the basket."

Last season, when Drexel endeavored to take on a traditional power, a trip to Kentucky to play the Wildcats resulted in an 88-44 thrashing of Drexel.

"One of the things I told the kids was that this is not Kentucky of last year," Flint said, referring to the Louisville squad his team defeated.