Blue Hens Drop OT Heartbreaker to Top-Seeded Drexel in CAA Semifinals

Friday, March 9

Philadelphia, Pa.

3:00 PM

University of Delaware

19-12

Drexel

26-6

OT 1

Delaware

Drexel

Blue Hens Drop OT Heartbreaker to Top-Seeded Drexel in CAA Semifinals

3/9/2018 7:51:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

By: Delaware Athletics

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Fifth-seeded Delaware had a chance to knock off top-seeded Drexel Friday afternoon, but in the end the Dragons outlasted the Blue Hens, 58-53, in overtime at the Daskalakis Athletic Center.

The Hens (19-12) led for nearly 32 minutes, but Drexel (26-6) was able to chip away and force overtime by knocking down one of two free throws with 21 seconds remaining in regulation.

The Dragons never trailed in the extra stanza and advance to play No. 3 Elon in Saturday's Championship final.

Sophomore Samone DeFreese (Bergenfield, N.J./Berkshire (Mass.)) logged her sixth double-double of the season with a game-high 17 points and team-best 10 rebounds in 45 minutes of action.

Classmate Abby Gonzales (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) added 14 points and three steals while junior Nicole Enabosi (Gaithersburg, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) posted 11 points, eight rebounds and four blocked shots.

Drexel saw four players in double figures and were led by Bailey Greenberg's 13 points.

POST-GAME QUOTES

Natasha Adair

“This was obviously not the outcome we wanted, but it was absolutely the fight I want to see. I could not be more pleased with our effort, will, fight and determination against a very good Drexel squad. This team made the University of Delaware very proud today. There were some things throughout the game that we obviously wish we could change, but down the stretch turnovers killed us. The ultimate goal is to get the win, but I'm not going to walk out of here with my head down and my players won't either. But right now, we're hurting because we were so close. And close isn't enough. We don't celebrate moral victories. I am very proud of this team.”

Junior Nicole Enabosi

“This hurts. Drexel is a great team. I think we were prepared both mentally and physically for this game. We played our hearts out and so did Drexel. Overall, we played Delaware basketball, but came out a little short in the end.”

HEN SCRATCHINGS

· The Blue Hens will await their postseason fate and a chance at a berth into the WNIT or WBI, with brackets being announced late Monday evening.

· Friday's game was the first OT game in CAA Championship play since 2010.

· Delaware opened the game on a 12-2 run.

· The Blue Hens were held to a CAA Tournament record one field goal in the second quarter.

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

· Further Postseason Play TBD

MEDIA CONTACT: Maggie Hayon, Assistant Athletics Communications Director | mhayon@udel.edu | O: 302-831-6389 | C: 302-379-9182