Drexel Outlasts Northeastern to Return to CAA Title Game

Drexel Outlasts Northeastern to Return to CAA Title Game

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NEWARK, Del. (March 15, 2019) – Junior Niki Metzel scored a career-high 24 points, including seven critical free throws in overtime, to lift No. 2 Drexel past No. 6 Northeastern 73-69 in overtime in the semifinals of the 2019 CAA Women’s Basketball Championship.
 
Drexel (24-7) will make its second consecutive appearance in the CAA Championship game and will face No. 4 Towson on Saturday at 1 p.m. ET, with coverage on College Sports Live, NBC Sports Philadelphia, NBC Sports Washington and SNY. Coincidentally, the last time the Dragons won in overtime was in the semifinals of the 2018 CAA Women’s Basketball Championship when it defeated Delaware, 58-53.


 
Northeastern fell to 20-11, reaching 20 wins for the second time in program history.
 
Two Bailey Greenberg free throws tied the game at 54 with 1:27 remaining in regulation, neither team could muster the go-ahead basket, with Shannon Todd’s attempt at game-winning 3-pointer drawing iron at the buzzer.
 
In overtime, Drexel grabbed an early lead behind a Greenberg layup and four points from freshman Keishana Washington to open a 62-56 edge with 2:16 to play. An Alexis Hill 3-point play would slice Northeastern’s deficit in half, but Drexel closed the final 1:36 of overtime by going 11-of-12 at the free-throw line to keep the Huskies at bay.
 
Northeastern controlled the first quarter, opening on an 8-2 run behind Gabby Giacone’s strong play on the block. Three straight layups from the senior gave the Huskies a 15-9 lead after the opening 10 minutes, before Drexel closed the second quarter on a 10-5 spurt to tie the game at 23 at the half.
 
Regulation saw eight lead changes, with four of those coming in the second half. The Dragons finished with 47.1 percent shooting, yet did not make a single three-pointer all game-the first time that has happened this season.
 
Greenberg posted her fifth double-double of the season, recording 15 points to go along with a career-high 15 rebounds. Washington chipped in 14 points and five assists.
 
Northeastern, which had four players finish in double figures, was led by Ayanna Dublin’s 16 points. Giacone had 14, while Jess Genco added 13 and Hill 12.