The Triangle

Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Evan Rosen Drexel cut a 10-point second half deficit to just one, but was unable to complete its comeback attempt as the Dragons fell to Hofstra 56-48 March 1 at Mack Sports Complex.

Senior Day brings out the best in every home team, much like it did when Drexel downed JMU this past week. For Hofstra, it was perhaps more special, as the school's most prolific scorer was saying goodbye to the hometown fans. The rest of the Pride responded with a sound defensive effort March 1 as they downed the Dragons 56-48 at the Mack Sports Complex.

Drexel (12-19, 5-13 CAA) did not go quietly as the game was tight down the stretch. With the Pride up 46-36 with seven minutes to go, the Dragons caught fire, scoring the next nine points. The run was aided by a technical foul on Dane Johnson as he was flagged for barking at the officials.

Just when Drexel seemed ready to take their first lead of the day, they got their back broken by a 3-pointer by Greg Johnson, and on the same play, Evan Neisler committed a foul away from the ball. The bucket counted, and Hofstra retained possession. Johnson wasted no time scoring again, and before Drexel could get the ball past half-court for their possession, he intercepted a pass from Scott Rodgers for an easy lay-in.

Just like that, Greg Johnson put the Dragons away. He had only two points before his personal 7-0 run.

"I told Charles [Jenkins] that they were double teaming him so I told him to hit me, and I'll make them," Johnson said. "It's Senior Day. It's a special day, and you really wanted to win for Antoine."

Agudio took over the Hofstra all-time scoring lead in the team's previous game at Delaware, and he was honored with an extravagant ceremony before Saturday's game. However, he struggled in the game. Agudio finished with 13 points on 5-16 shooting. Even the coach of the only team to really contain Agudio had nothing but respect for the man with 2,249 points.

"I told him, 'I'm honored to have coached against you,'" Drexel head coach Bruiser Flint said. "You see the kid progress and get better each season, and that's what he did. He's had an unbelievable career."

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools