Quakers escape late run from Dragons

Drexel hobbled into the Palestra Saturday after having played four games in six days. And for the first half, the fatigue showed. The Quakers game out firing, and built a double-digit lead thanks to three pointers from senior Eric Osmundson. Penn fended off a late Dragons surge to defeat Drexel, 68-60. Penn (2-0) led by as many as 19 in the second half before a late boost of energy from Drexel (3-3) cut the lead to as few as four. Here is a summary of the action: A decent crowd considering the holiday welcomes the Quakers onto the court. A smattering of Penn students dot the lower bleachers, but the crowd is predominantly older. The Penn band is notably absent, and the Drexel band is the only music here today. Chaz Crawford hit the first bucket of the game for Drexel, then Penn used a pair of three-pointers from Eric Osmundson to go on an 8-0 run. Penn 8, Drexel 2; 16:05 Osmundson hits three and fouled by Randy Hampton. Free throw completes the four-point play. Osmundson has 10 of Penn's 12 points. Penn 12, Drexel 6; 14:33 Junior forward Mark Zoller checks into the game at the 12:56 mark for the first time this season after coming off an ankle injury. Ibrahim Jaaber's three makes it 21-10 Penn at the 11:10 mark. The Quakers are playing Drexel tougher than any other team this season, exploiting the perimiter shot. Tommy McMahon enters the game for Zoller and hits a three, Penn 24, Drexel 15; 7:50. Jaaber steals the ball from Tramayne Hawthorne and wins the footrace to the other end. That set up a three from Zoller giving the Quakers a 10-point edge. Crawford is called for a foul that both he and head coach Bruiser Flint disagree with. The ensuing argument leads to a technical foul on the coach. Osmundson hits the foul shot. Penn 30, Drexel 19; 4:45 Drexel looks lethargic on both ends of the floor. Jaaber penetrates easily on three defenders for a layup to extend Penn's lead to 36-21 at 3:20. Drexel is clearly feeling the hangover from playing last night in New York. The Dragons' emotional 57-56 loss to No. 16 UCLA ended around 7 p.m. last night at Madison Square Garden. Flint emphatically stomps his right foot as he walks off the court after watching Grandieri sink a layup at the halftime buzzer. --- HALFTIME Penn 40, Drexel 24 --- First Half Leaders: Osmundson and Jaaber tied with 11 points Grandieri has 10 rebounds Quakers out-rebounded Drexel 22-18. Shooting: Penn 44.1 percent; Drexel 30.8 percent. Mejia three opens the second half. Danley, Jaaber, Whitehurst, Ebede and Grandieri on the floor for Penn. Ebede three-point play Penn 43, Drexel 27; 17:58 Sanchez denies a dunk from Danley after he was left wide open underneath. Frank Elegar's hook shot cut into the Quakers lead after they had stretched it to 19. Zoller and Osmundson are back in for the Quakers. Penn 47, Drexel 32; 12:50 Drexel has picked up the energy in the second half being more aggressive on both ends of the floor. Penn 49, Drexel 36; 10:57 The Dragons cut the lead to 11 following a layup from Crawford, who was fouled but missed the free-throw. Drexel steps up defensive pressure in the three-quarter court. Danley answers with a layup. Penn 53, Drexel 40; 8:20 Flint continues to work on official David Eppley after Rand Oveneke fouls David Whitehurst on a fast-break layup attempt. Penn 55, Drexel 43; 7:56 Sanchez cut the Penn lead to 56-46 at the seven minute mark with a foul shot. Whitehurst heads to the bench with four fouls. Drexel continues to press. Penn crowd on its feet for the first time today. Jaaber strips Crawford and Osmundson fed Danley under the hoop to bring the momentum back to the Quakers end. Penn 60, Drexel 47; 5:15 Zoller called for a push-off. He is called for a technical foul. Mejia makes one of two on the technical. Elegar then makes a pair for the personal foul. Penn 60, Drexel 54; 3:42 Three straight offensive rebounds by the Dragons keeps the ball in the Drexel end. Grandieri finally gets it back for Penn following a Crawford miss. Penn 60, Drexel 55; 2:20 Whitehurst breaks an 8-0 Dragons run with a free throw. Mejia answers with a layup. Penn 61, Drexel 57; 1:30 Drexel again is successful trapping Jaaber in the corner. On the ensuing inbounds play Crawford reaches in on the Penn guard and picks up his fifth foul. Jaaber makes one of two free throws. Penn 62, Drexel 57; 1:25 Osmundson goes to the line and comes away with two clutch free throws. Penn 65, Drexel 57; :31.2 Sanchez hits three from the left wing. Penn 65, Drexel 60; :20.7 The Quakers struggled down the stretch making just six of 12 from the line, but came through when it counted. Grandieri ices it with two foul shots. --- FINAL Penn 68, Drexel 60 --- Game Leaders: Elegar 17 points for Drexel, Osmundson 15 for Penn Grandieri 15 rebounds for Penn, Elegar and Crawford had 10 for Drexel Shooting: Penn 39.3 percent; Drexel 33.9 percent.