Drexel secured a hard-fought 61-60 win over North Carolina A&T State at the Daskalakis Athletic Center, with Shane Blakeney's impressive performance proving to be the difference-maker. Blakeney scored 19 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, leading the Dragons to a narrow victory. The win marked a successful prediction by CHD Scout, which had Drexel winning by 7.6 points, although the actual margin was much closer.
The first half saw Drexel take control, with the Dragons heading into the break with a 29-21 lead. However, North Carolina A&T State refused to back down, with Lewis Walker leading the charge. Walker scored 19 points and added 5 rebounds, spearheading the Aggies' second-half surge. Trent Middleton Jr. also made significant contributions, scoring 16 points and grabbing 7 rebounds.
As the game intensified, Drexel's Eli Beard and Garfield Turner played crucial roles in maintaining the Dragons' slim lead. Beard scored 12 points, while Turner added 8 points, helping to counter North Carolina A&T State's relentless pressure. The Aggies outscored Drexel 39-32 in the second half, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
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CORRECTPredicted
Final
Despite being predicted to win by a wider margin, Drexel's victory was a reflection of the team's resilience. The Dragons' ability to hold off North Carolina A&T State's late push will be a valuable confidence booster as they continue their season. The win also marked a Quad 4 victory for Drexel, which could have implications for their tournament chances.
For North Carolina A&T State, the loss was a tough pill to swallow, especially given their strong second-half performance. The Aggies' Quad 3 game will still be a valuable addition to their resume, but the narrow defeat will undoubtedly leave them wondering what could have been. Lewis Walker's outstanding performance will be a positive takeaway, and the team want to build on this momentum in their upcoming games.
The result will have a significant impact on both teams' tournament prospects. Drexel's win, although narrow, will be viewed as a positive addition to their resume, given the Quad 4 designation. North Carolina A&T State, on the other hand, must regroup and focus on securing more wins to bolster their tournament chances. As the season progresses, both teams will be closely watched, and this game will be remembered as a thrilling, hard-fought encounter that showcased the skills of both Drexel's Shane Blakeney and North Carolina A&T State's Lewis Walker.