The Triangle

Issue date: 3/9/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Pete Croteau Frank Elegar posts up inside the key. He had 23 points, six rebounds and three steals in Drexel's win over Northeastern.

The last time Drexel won a game in the CAA Tournament was in 2003, when it defeated Virginia Commonwealth in the semifinals. However, these Dragons were not going to let the losing trend continue.
No. 4 Drexel defeated No. 5 Northeastern in the quarterfinals of the CAA Tournament at the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Va., March 3.
Drexel forward Frank Elegar led the Dragons in four statistical categories with 23 points, six rebounds, three steals and a block.
Elegar said that there was one main reason for his dominance over the Huskies (13-19, 9-9 CAA).
"I thought I really listened to the coach's advice more than I usually do," Elegar said. "Sometimes, I rush in the post, and I don't get the shots I'm looking for. Today, I did a better job with that."
Northeastern guard Bennet Davis led his team with 16 points and four assists.
Drexel (23-8, 13-5) put the game away early when Drexel guard Dominick Mejia stole a pass, saved the ball from going out of bounds, and hit a 3-pointer as time expired in the first half for a 35-18 half-time lead.
Mejia explained his motivation for the big three to close the half.
"I air-balled the shot before that, and I knew I couldn't let my confidence drop," Mejia said. "I was fortunate to get that steal. It was a bit of lazy inbounds pass, and I hurried up and caught it. I was surprised I had enough time to shoot it before the buzzer."
Northeastern had its chances to keep it close early on, as it cut its deficit to six points with 5:10 remaining in the first half, but after Hawthorne missed his second of two free throws, he got the rebound and fed it to Mejia, who knocked down a 3-pointer. Drexel guard Bashir Mason followed with another 3-pointer, giving the Dragons a 13-point lead.
Mason spoke after the game on his relief at winning a CAA Tournament game for the first time in his career.
"This is my first win, so it feels good to just win and advance," Mason said.
Drexel coach Bruiser Flint said that his team could not take anything for granted, especially considering the team's four-game losing streak in the tournament.

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