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Don’t count out the Drexel Dragons.
Zach Spiker’s side was down by 34 points in the first half against Delaware on Thursday at Philadelphia’s Daskalakis Athletic Center. It seemed liked the Dragons were going to drop their fifth straight game and fall even futher in the Colonial Athletic Association standings.
But Drexel battled and did what had never previously been done before by any college basketball team.
The Dragons erased that 34-point deficit and won 85-83. According to ESPN, it is the largest comeback in the history of NCAA Division I college basketball.
The Delaware Blue Hens scored just 27 points in the second half compared to Drexel’s 56. On Drexel’s final possession, with the game tied, Delaware’s Darian Bryant fouled Drexel’s Tramaine Isabelle as he was attempting a three-pointer.
This is foul called on #BlueHens Darian Bryant with :02 left and as a result @DelawareMBB has lost 85-83 on Tramaine Isabell FTs to @DrexelMBB after leading by 34 in first half. #CAAHoops pic.twitter.com/IfSWehzS1j
— kevintresolini (@kevintresolini) February 23, 2018
Isabelle - a transfer from Missouri who led the Dragons in scoring with 29 points - hit two of the three free throws. Delaware couldn’t connect on a shot with 2.2 seconds left.
For Drexel, Sammy Mojica added 16 points and Troy Harper added 13. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for Drexel, who plays its final game of the regular season on Saturday at home vs. UNC Wilmington.
According to David Worlock, the director of media coordination and statistics, Drexel’s comeback bests a record that had stood since 1950, when Duke beat Tulane after trailing by 32 points.
Just when you thought a 34-point lead was safe....
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) February 23, 2018
Drexel trailed Delaware 53-19 with 2:30 left in the first half. They won 85-83.
Largest comeback in D-I history. pic.twitter.com/LAEy5wDmvN