Typically stifling defense and a balanced scoring attack led Drew men’s hoops to a 71-47 victory over Freedom Conference rivals Delaware Valley in Baldwin Gym. Chris Lopez scored 16 points to lead both teams while Bob Carella added 14 and David Cramer chipped in with 12. Eric Lawton led the Aggies who were held to 27.5% shooting by the Rangers and nearly 20 points below their season average.
The Rangers took a 38-20 advantage into halftime as they stifled the Aggies with their nationally ranked defense. The Rangers sprinted out of the gate, quickly establishing a 17-4 lead. Bob Carella continued his recent hot streak with seven points in the first seven minutes of play. The lead ballooned to as many as 19 on a Chris Lopez fast break lay-up with just under five left to play. The Rangers finished the half on a pair of Damon DiLorenzo lay-ups for the 18 points edge. Even with the strong offensive play, it was the defense that built the lead. The Rangers held high scoring guard Isaiah Pinckney to just two points in the first and the Aggies as a team to 22% shooting. Drew forced eight turnovers and recorded six steals. Lopez led the Rangers with 10 points in the first as Drew shot 48% from the field and hit all eight of their free throws.
The Rangers continued to roll in the second. The Aggies put a quick scare into Drew as Pinckney began to heat up early in the second half. Del Val cut the lead to 40-27 two minutes into the half on a Pinckney lay-up, but the Rangers responded and shut the conference’s leading scorer down for the rest of the game. More made free throws, from Carella and then Ryan Eisner, restored a 17 point edge. Lopez scored on a nice jumper with 11:30 left to give Drew a 51-30 lead. A nice steal and assist by Nelson Albino preserved that 21 point advantage with over seven left. The lead peaked at 25 on a Bobby Clackner hook with 30 seconds left. Still it was the defense leading the way, the Rangers had 12 steals and held the Aggies to 27.5% shooting. Drew held Del Val’s top two scorers, Pinckney and Zack Van Dyke, a combined 19 points below their average.
With the win the Rangers improve to 5-7, 1-2 in the conference while Del Val falls to 3-11, 1-2 in conference play.
Newspaper Box Score DVC-M vs Drew Rangers 01/10/07 8:00 pm at Drew University At Drew University DREW RANGERS 71, DVC-M 47 DVC-M (3-11, 1-2) Eric Lawton 3-10 5-6 11; Zack Van Dyke 1-7 5-6 8; Jason Seipt 1-5 4-7 7; Isaiah Pinckney 1-8 5-9 7; Joe Rod 3-5 0-1 6; Josh Taylor 1-1 1-1 3; Ryan Thomas 0-1 2-4 2; Bill Gelsomini 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 11-40 23-36 47. DREW RANGERS (5-7, 1-2) Chris Lopez 6-10 3-4 16; Bob Carella 2-7 8-8 14; David Cramer 5-6 2-2 12; Damon DiLorenzo 3-5 2-2 8; Gerard Mullin 1-6 2-3 5; Ryan Eisner 0-2 4-4 4; Dave Pepperman 1-4 1-2 3; Nelson Albino 1-2 1-2 3; Scott Miller 1-2 0-0 2; Jared Coleman 1-1 0-0 2; Bobby Clackner 1-1 0-0 2; Travis DiNapoli 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 22-47 23-27 71. DVC-M......................... 20 27 - 47 Drew Rangers.................. 38 33 - 71 3-point goals-DVC-M 2-15 (Zack Van Dyke 1-4; Jason Seipt 1-4; Bill Gelsomini 0-2; Isaiah Pinckney 0-3; Eric Lawton 0-2), Drew Rangers 4-13 (Bob Carella 2-5; Gerard Mullin 1-3; Chris Lopez 1-4; Ryan Eisner 0-1). Fouled out--DVC-M-None, Drew Rangers-None. Rebounds-DVC-M 29 (Eric Lawton 7; Zack Van Dyke 7), Drew Rangers 32 (David Cramer 9). Assists-DVC-M 6 (Jason Seipt 2; Isaiah Pinckney 2), Drew Rangers 10 (Damon DiLorenzo 3; Chris Lopez 3). Total fouls-DVC-M 20, Drew Rangers 25. A-125