Drexel’s women's basketball continued its postseason excellence with a 82-72 victory over Harvard on March 23 to earn a trip to the Sweet 16 of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament for the first time. Led by a 32-point effort by senior Hollie Mershon, the Dragons picked up their 24th win of the season to match the program’s record and advance to play Bowling Green in the third round on Thursday, March 28.
Mershon’s 32 points were coupled with a career-best nine assists, her classmate and fellow All-Conference selection, Taylor Wootton added 20 points, while freshman Rachel Pearson added 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting in the 82-point effort. The win was Drexel’s first over Harvard, in the teams’ first meeting and it set a new team record for postseason victories.
Drexel shot a sizzling 52.6 percent from the floor and combined for a season-best 26 assists. Harvard jumped out to an early 7-2 lead, but a Mershon-led comeback put the Dragons on top 20-18 just before halftime and Drexel would hold that lead for the duration of the game thanks to timely three-point shooting by Mershon, Pearson, Megan Creighton and Fiona Flanagan.
The Dragons will travel to Bowling Green, Ohio to face a Falcons squad that has won 24 games this season and just missed winning the Mid-America Conference for the ninth season in a row. On its path to the Sweet 16, Bowling Green defeated Southern Methodist University and Duquesne at home.
A win on Thursday would do more for the program than propel it into the WNIT quarterfinals for the first time ever. It would be the 25th win of the year, which would establish a new record for Drexel women's basketball. This year's team is currently tied with the 2008-09 CAA Championship squad that went 24-9. A win would also be the Dragons' 10th true road win of the season, tying the record that last year's team set.
Tip time for Thursday’s game is set for 7 p.m. at Bowling Green’s Stroh Center. Visit www.drexeldragons.com for more information and links to the game broadcast.