In a shocking turn of events, Drexel traveled to the OceanFirst Bank Center and handed Monmouth a devastating 22-point loss, 73-51. This upset victory is a significant statement for the Dragons, who were ranked lower than their opponents in the latest net rankings. Cornelius Robinson III led the way for Monmouth with 15 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the dominant performance from Drexel.
The game got off to a disastrous start for Monmouth, as Drexel stormed out to a 38-19 lead at halftime. The Hawks struggled to find their footing, shooting poorly from the field and turning the ball over repeatedly. Meanwhile, Drexel's Shane Blakeney was unstoppable, scoring 18 points and grabbing 7 rebounds to pace his team. Eli Beard added 15 points for the Dragons, who shot efficiently from the field and played stifling defense.
Monmouth attempted to mount a comeback in the second half, but Drexel's lead was too great to overcome. The Hawks outscored the Dragons 32-35 in the final 20 minutes, but it was too little, too late. Dok Muordar and Stefanos Spartalis chipped in with 10 and 6 points, respectively, for Monmouth, but their efforts were not enough to overcome the deficit.
This upset victory is a massive boost to Drexel's resume, as they picked up a Quadrant 3 win on the road. Conversely, Monmouth suffers a Quadrant 4 loss, which will likely hurt their chances of earning an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Hawks, who were ranked 198 in the net rankings, must regroup and refocus if they hope to make a push for the postseason.
The significance of this upset cannot be overstated. Drexel, ranked 206 in the net rankings, was not expected to come into the OceanFirst Bank Center and dominate Monmouth. However, they did just that, and the result is a major statement for the Dragons. With this win, Drexel improves to 10-11 on the season, and their tournament chances, while still a long shot, are now slightly more plausible.
As for Monmouth, this loss is a major setback. The Hawks had been playing decent basketball of late, but this defeat is a reminder that they still have a long way to go. With a Quadrant 4 loss on their resume, Monmouth's margin for error is now even smaller. They must bounce back quickly and start racking up wins if they hope to stay in the tournament conversation.
In the end, Drexel's impressive road win is a major resume-booster, and it will be interesting to see how the Dragons build on this momentum. For Monmouth, the loss is a harsh reality check, and they must regroup and refocus if they hope to achieve their postseason goals. The Dragons' victory is a significant upset, and it will have major implications for both teams as the season wears on.