The Triangle

Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Aaron Walizer

Gerald Colds's shooting woes came to an end. Drexel's winning streak, however, didn't.

Colds came off the bench to score a team-high 14 points and the Dragons won their seventh consecutive game, defeating Towson 60-53 Jan. 31 at the Towson Center in Towson, Md.

"I just wanted to come in and focus and help my team get a win today," Colds, who had missed the past couple of practices while dealing with family issues, said.

The sophomore guard, who came into the game shooting 30.7 percent from the field, connected on five of his seven shots from the floor. He knocked down a pair of clutch threes in the first half that gave life to a sluggish offense.

However, in the second half Colds was able to get to the rim and finish. He converted on a floater and two driving layups, the second of which gave Drexel a 10-point cushion, 52-42, with 3:57 remaining.

"This year I've tried to attack more," Colds said. "I think I've settled for threes a little bit too much before. This year I've just tried to attack the rim, draw some fouls and get some easy layups."

Scott Rodgers had 12 points while Evan Neisler added nine points - seven in the second half - for the Dragons (12-8, 8-3 CAA), who nearly blew their double-digit lead late.

The Tigers (8-15, 3-8) had a chance to cut Drexel's lead to one with 34 seconds left, but Josh Thornton missed a three-pointer and Tim Crossin missed a put-back that would've brought Towson within two.

Tramayne Hawthorne, who had seven points, pulled down the rebound - his team-leading eighth of the game - and was fouled. He proceeded to split a pair of free throws to put the Dragons up 58-53 and Jamie Harris, who had six points and a team-high four assists, connected on both of his attempts from the charity stripe with four seconds remaining to seal the win.

In all, Drexel was 20-of-29 at the free throw line - 16-of-22 in the second half.

"We made it hard a little bit down the stretch but we [won]," Drexel head coach Bruiser Flint said. "Every time we're down here [in Towson] it seems like we're up and then they roar back. We pulled it out today. We toughed it out at the end."

Junior Hairston had 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead Towson, which saw no other player score in double figures.

The Tigers outrebounded Drexel 40-33, but shot just 33.9 percent from the field. The Dragons shot 41.9 percent.

With its victory, Drexel improved to 38-12 all-time against Towson.

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