Dragons outmuscle Tigers

If the men's basketball teams plans to live and die by the three point shot this winter, its season opener Monday night against Drexel didn't give a very promising outlook.

The Tigers (0-1 overall) took 65 percent of their shots from behind the line, yet made only 10 of 30 attempts from that distance, accounting for 30 of Princeton's 41 points. Those points from behind the arc, however, were not enough for the young Tiger team, as Princeton could not overcome a 46-17 rebounding deficiency and fell to Drexel 54-41.

"It's obvious what the game came down to," head coach Joe Scott '87 said. "They were more physically aggressive and we couldn't get a rebound."

In addition to its enormous rebounding margin, the Dragons (1-0) dominated the Tigers in the paint. Drexel's more physical play kept Princeton from establishing any offense inside, forcing them to rely on the three point shot.

The game started with much more promise for the Tigers than the final score would show, as Princeton built a 16-9 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game. As they did all game, the Tigers came out firing from three point range. Their first 5 shots were all from behind the arc, with three of those finding the back of the net.

Princeton built its initial lead with its hot shooting, but with 15 minutes to go in the first half the Tigers shooters went cold as ice. From 15:11 remaining in the half, Princeton managed only six points until just 48 seconds remained before halftime. During the same period, Drexel managed 21 points of its own to build a lead of 12. The Tigers were hurt by foul trouble during Drexel's first half run. Senior point guard Scott Greenman and junior forward Luke Owings both had to spend time on the bench after picking up their second fouls midway through the second half.

It was a three pointer from sophomore forward Noah Savage with just over a minute left that cut the Dragons' lead to nine at 28-19, where it remained heading into halftime.

The second half started in a similar fashion, with Drexel scoring on its first two possessions to bring its lead to 13. Just as the game looked like it may get away from them, the Tigers began to find their shooting touch that they had been without for most of the opening half.

Princeton went on a 13-4 run, led by two three-pointers from sophomore center Harrison Schaen. The spurt culminated when sophomore forward Kyle Koncz drilled a trey with 12:11 remaining to bring the Tigers to within four at 36-32.

Princeton, however, was unable to keep its momentum rolling in order to close the gap. The Tigers came away empty on their next three possessions, while Drexel put in two layups to bring its lead back to eight. By 5:15 remaining in the game, the Dragons were back up by 13 and had the Princeton on the ropes.

With 1:30 remaining, the Tigers narrowed it to 50-41 on a trey from Savage — who led the Tigers with 15 points on five-of-10 shooting — but they were never able to get closer against the Dragons.

While the shooters struggled to put points up, Princeton had no inside game it could fall back on. Princeton had no threat in the paint that could post up or draw in the Drexel defense, and was unable to attack the defense from inside or drive to the hoop off the dribble. The Tigers only scored six points through layups, compared to 34 from long-range shots.

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With Princeton's ineffectiveness in the frontcourt, the Dragons were able to pressure the Tigers' shooters and play more aggressive defense out at the three point line. Drexel began to run a full court press later in the first half, and though the Dragons did not come up with any steals through the pressure, the press disrupted the flow of the Princeton offense.

Drexel also benefited from many trips to the free throw line. The Dragons attempted 25 free throws – making 18 of them – compared to only three free throws shot by the Tigers.

Princeton took to the court with a young lineup. Beyond the sophomore Schaen – who Scott said was essentially a freshman following his absence – Scott started freshman forward Geoff Kestler and freshman Alex Okafor was the first reserve off the bench. The two freshmen combined for just five points and six rebounds in 51 minutes of play.

The young team will have to start growing up quickly. Though all-important Ivy League play does not begin until a Jan. 13 matchup with Columbia, the Tigers travel to Bethlehem, Pa., to play Lehigh this coming Sunday.