The Triangle

Issue date: 11/9/07 Section: Sports

Gabriela Marginean scored 26 points in an exhibition game against Philadelphia University. 1,500 elementary school students attended the game as part of Drexel Dream Day.

An exhibition game is often little more than a glorified scrimmage where the starters work out some kinks and the scrubs actually get floor time.

Try telling that to the 1,500 screaming fans in attendance.

The Drexel women's team hosted the Dream Day event in which students from six area elementary schools attended the game. They were given a treat as Gabriela Marginean lead the scoring assault with 26 points as the Dragons routed Philadelphia University 68-44 at the Daskalakis Athletic Center Nov. 2.

Marginean had six boards and three steals to accompany her 11-19 shooting from the field. She looks to build upon her team best 16.6 ppg and 8.2 rpg from a season ago. She turned it on in the second half, scoring 15 points while going 7-9 from the field.

"I think the reason [Marginean] is getting so many touches is that she runs the floor and [Andrea Peterson] is finding her," Drexel Head Coach Denise Dillon said. "That is something we've focused on for this year. We wanted our post players to actually have quick feet."

The Philadelphia University Rams kept the game close as they were only down 33-28 after 20 minutes. In the second half, the Dragons opened the half on a 22-6 run that took over 10 minutes to put the game out of reach.

"In the second half, we really stepped up and communicated much better," Dillon said. "I told them at the half to get their feet out of the mud. Start moving. Start being aggressive. If you pick up a foul because you're aggressive, hey, at least you're being aggressive. Once you get on a team, they get frazzled a little bit and you can force more turnovers."

Speaking of turnovers, the Dragons forced 23 of them which were more than in any game last season. This led to a 24-7 advantage for Drexel in points off turnovers.

Along with Marginean, Narissa Suber also finished in double figures with 11 points. Jessica Romano led Philadelphia University with 17 points and nine boards.

Drexel Dream Day is an event designed to bring children from the community in to watch the game as part of a live skills teaching initiative. All the students were given a yellow T-shirt to commemorate the event and it gave the appearance of the DAC Pack being represented all over the arena. Local sports personality Don Tollefson emceed the various activities and contests for the kids. The students got to interact with the players and get autographs after the game.

"The kids were great," Dillon said. "I hope some of them come out throughout the year and catch some games."

"It is nice for the youngsters to see if you work hard in the classroom and you keep working at your dreams, you can play at this level."

The Dragons will play against a Division-I level team for the first time this season on the road at Loyola Nov. 9.

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