In a stunning turn of events, Drexel pulled off a monumental upset at the Daskalakis Athletic Center, taking down William & Mary 64-58. The Dragons, with a record of 10-11, entered the game as significant underdogs against the 14-6 Tribe, but they proved that rankings can be deceiving. This victory is a massive statement for Drexel, as they handed William & Mary a loss that will surely raise eyebrows in the college basketball world.
The first half saw Drexel come out strong, with the Dragons taking a 37-28 lead into halftime. Shane Blakeney was instrumental in this early surge, showcasing his versatility with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists for the game. Kevon Vanderhorst and Josh Reed also made significant contributions, scoring 13 and 11 points, respectively. On the other side, William & Mary's Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi led the charge with 10 points and 6 rebounds, while Kyle Pulliam and Reese Miller added 10 and 9 points, respectively.
As the second half unfolded, William & Mary pushed hard to close the gap, outscoring Drexel 30-27. However, the Dragons' first-half cushion proved sufficient, as they managed to hold off the Tribe's late surge. The win is a reflection of Drexel's resilience and determination, as they capitalized on their opportunities and made the most of their home-court advantage.
Given the significant difference in the teams' records and national rankings, this upset will have notable implications for both squads. Drexel's victory over a top-100 team like William & Mary will undoubtedly bolster their resume, especially considering it falls under the Quadrant 3 category. For William & Mary, the loss may raise concerns about their consistency and ability to perform against lesser-ranked opponents, particularly in a Quadrant 3 matchup.
Without a pre-game prediction to reference, the outcome of this matchup was truly unpredictable. However, one thing is clear: Drexel's win will send shockwaves through the college basketball landscape, and the Dragons want to build upon this momentum as they continue their season.
As the season progresses, this result will be a crucial part of both teams' tournament resumes. For Drexel, the upset serves as a high-quality win that can help offset some of their earlier losses. Meanwhile, William & Mary must regroup and refocus to avoid letting this setback derail their postseason aspirations. The Dragons' ability to pull off this stunning upset will undoubtedly be a talking point in the coming weeks, and their tournament chances have undoubtedly received a significant boost.