Quakers burnt by Dragons

Drexel's intense defense held Penn to 33 percent field goal shooting in the first scheduled matchup in 69 years. Last night's contest between Penn and Drexel was a Big 5 game in everything, but name. The Palestra was filled with fans from both schools, the bands traded songs, there was the requisite battle between the mascots, and like most Big 5 games this one went down to the wire. The Dragons continued their effort to crash the City Series party as they were able to fend off a long-overdue Penn rally at the end to pull out a 58-52 win. "This game was way more important for Drexel University, and not just the basketball program," Drexel coach Bill Herrion said. The Quakers (5-5) made sure the Dragons' (9-6) big victory was not an easy one. The Penn comeback began after Drexel's Chuck Guittar seemingly put the game away with a forced three-pointer as the shot clock ran down to give the Dragons a 50-38 lead with five minutes, 36 seconds to play. "The way this game was played," Herrion said, "being up by 11 is like being up 18 or 20 points." The Quakers rallied behind four quick points from Jed Ryan, and after a free throw and three-point play from Paul Romanczuk, Penn found itself down by four with 2:28 left. The two teams traded baskets before Penn guard Jamie Lyren found a lane to the basket on the left side. His open, lefty lay-up danced along the rim before falling out as Penn's best chance to get back in the game vanished. "I'm proud we made a game of it," Dunphy said, "but we can't get down as much as we got down. Drexel knew we would make that run, and they weathered the storm." The action in the first half gave little indication of the drama that would unfold. Neither team could find its rhythm in the early stages of a game that seemed as if it were being played in slow motion. Drexel found itself ahead 8-5 eight minutes into the game before the pace finally picked up. The Dragons found their range and the only thing that kept the Quakers in the game was their 4-for-8 three-point shooting in the first half. Penn also held Jeff Myers, Drexel's leading scorer, scoreless in the first twenty minutes. Yet Drexel entered the locker room to the cheers of its large student contingent with a 31-23 lead. The Dragons eventually opened up a 41-29 lead behind five points from Myers. With 11 minutes left in the game the twelve-point deficit seemed overwhelming and there was some doubt whether Penn could score twelve points in the time that remained. "The one thing we have done well all year is play defense," Herrion said. "I think we played good D for the full 40 minutes tonight." The key for Drexel was stopping Penn's three-point shooting. In the second half, the Dragons executed Herrion's strategy to perfection, preventing Penn from scoring in nine tries from behind the three-point line. "From watching films you know that their strength is the three-pointer," Herrion said. Herrion assigned Mike DeRocckis to guard Penn's leading scorer, Garett Kreitz, with one simple instruction, shade him for 40 minutes. Kreitz was unable to step away from picks for his trademark standstill three-pointer. Kreitz failed to have one good look at the basket the entire game, going scoreless on 0-for-5 shooting. The Quakers were forced to abandon their favorite weapon and look for other, less prevalent, scoring options. It is no coincidence Penn's rally began when the focus shifted towards scoring from inside. Forward Paul Romanczuk led Penn with 17 points, 14 in the second half, on a variety of low-post moves. "We needed some offensive punch out there," Romanczuk said. "The team is gaining confidence in the inside game. It was just a matter of time until shots started falling for the team and luckily it was me making those shots." But the Quakers offense faltered in the key series at the end. The Drexel defense tightened up and prevented Penn from getting an open shot at the basket from three-point range when the Quakers desperately needed a trey. "We got back on our heels the last four-to-five minutes, but they put us on our heels," Herrion said. "I think our overall team defense won this game." After the game there was no indication the 33rd Street battle would be a one-time affair. Both coaches hinted that they would welcome future games in the upcoming years. "Drexel has been left out in a lot of ways," Herrion said. "If we can be a part of this thing, then we'll welcome it with open arms. The only problem is that you know when we play these kind of people, you're in for wars." Herrion realizes that in many ways he is at the mercy of the other Philadelphia basketball coaches in terms of scheduling future games. But in Dunphy's opinion, Penn has found a worthy opponent just down the street. "Its important for Philadelphia for us to play this game." Dunphy said.