It was too little, too late for Drexel.
Kyle Anderson had 15 points and Delaware led from start to finish Monday night in a 66-64 victory over the Dragons at the Daskalakis Athletic Center. The game was a matchup of teams picked first and second in the Colonial Athletic Association preseason poll.
The Dragons (8-12, 4-4), who were missing key reserve Kaz Abif (ankle), have not played up to expectations. Although they had won three straight, they could not overtake the Blue Hens (9-11, 4-3).
"Guys played with no energy," Drexel coach Bruiser Flint said. "They bring the fight to us, they always have. We don't match their intensity and didn't again today."
The game seemed over when Devon Saddler scored on a layup to give the Hens a 64-49 lead with 4 minutes, 22 seconds remaining. But the Dragons came to life, scoring 13 straight points capped by Frantz Massenat's drive with 1:59 left that made it 64-62.
But Drexel couldn't tie it or go ahead despite several chances.
Massenat missed a chance to tie with 1:16 left, and the Dragons had other opportunities late. Drexel trailed by 65-64 with 28 seconds left and had three chances to take the lead. But Massenat missed a three-pointer, then a drive, and Daryl McCoy failed on a follow attempt.
After Anderson made a free throw with 2.6 seconds to play, Massenat had one final chance to give Drexel the win, but his half-court heave at the buzzer came up short.
Last Wednesday, Massenat hit almost the same shot at the buzzer to defeat Hofstra.
"It was right on line," Delaware coach Monte Ross said. "Thankfully it was short. Come on, you can't make two of them. Can you?"
Massenat finished with 15 points. Drexel's Damion Lee led all scorers with a career-high 30 points but fouled out with 2:41 left.
