Chris Lopez dropped in 26 points to lead Drew to a rousing 74-57 victory over Haverford Fords in Madison, NJ. With the victory the Rangers doubled their win total from last year and improved to 6-5 on the season. Johnny Elefterakis led the Fords (3-6) with 16 points. This is the best record the Rangers have had after 11 games since 1996-97.
Lopez, who earned MAC Weekly Honor Roll last week, scored a career-high 26 with eight rebounds. Lopez hit on 4-6 from three point range while adding an assist and a steal. After the Fords cut the Ranger lead to 9 with seven minutes remaining, Lopez hit two threes around a Dave Pepperman lay-up to keep the Fords out of reach. Pepperman had a strong game off the bench with eight points and four boards. Damon DiLorenzo scored 13 points and handed out three assists. Junior captain Bob Carella had a solid all-around effort with eight points, six boards, three assists and a steal.
The Rangers held the lead for the entire game as they jumped out to a quick 13-2 advantage in the first six minutes. For Drew it makes the best record the team has had the late in the season since a 7-4 start since 1996-97.
Elefterakis scored 16 points and dished out four assists while Jason Polykoff scored 14 points for the visitors. The Fords were unable to overcome a cold shooting first half when the hit on just 25% of their shots.
Drew looks to continue its three game-winning streak against future conference rival Catholic on Saturday.
Newspaper Box Score Haverford Fords vs Drew University Rangers 01/04/06 7:00 at Baldwin Gym At Baldwin Gym DREW UNIVERSITY RANGERS 74, HAVERFORD FORDS 57 HAVERFORD FORDS (3-6 (2-2 Cent)) Johnny Elefterakis 6-18 0-0 16; Jason Polykoff 6-12 0-1 14; Brent Anderson 1-1 4-4 6; Ben McDowell 1-2 4-5 6; Matthew Stitt 2-6 0-0 5; Ray Brown 0-3 3-6 3; Aaron Heath 1-2 0-0 2; Mike Fratangelo 1-2 0-0 2; Adam Howland 0-2 2-2 2; David Nowacki 0-6 1-4 1; Greg Rosnick 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 18-56 14-22 57. DREW UNIVERSITY RANGERS (6-5 (1-1 Free)) Chris Lopez 8-15 6-11 26; Damon DiLorenzo 6-11 1-4 13; Dave Pepperman 3-3 2-2 8; Bob Carella 3-7 1-2 8; Sam Taub 2-5 1-2 5; Gerard Mullin 2-6 0-0 4; Scott Miller 1-2 1-4 3; Mike Amalfie 1-3 1-1 3; Nelson Albino 1-1 0-0 2; Abdul Jalloh 1-3 0-0 2; Steve Natoli 0-1 0-0 0; David Cramer 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 28-58 13-26 74. Haverford Fords............... 23 34 - 57 Drew University Rangers....... 36 38 - 74 3-point goals-Haverford Fords 7-24 (Johnny Elefterakis 4-12; Jason Polykoff 2-5; Matthew Stitt 1-4; Aaron Heath 0-1; Adam Howland 0-1; Greg Rosnick 0-1), Drew University Rangers 5-16 (Chris Lopez 4-6; Bob Carella 1-4; Gerard Mullin 0-3; Abdul Jalloh 0-2; Damon DiLorenzo 0-1). Fouled out--Haverford Fords-Ben McDowell, Drew University Rangers-None. Rebounds-Haverford Fords 45 (David Nowacki 6; Ray Brown 6), Drew University Rangers 35 (Chris Lopez 8). Assists-Haverford Fords 7 (Johnny Elefterakis 4), Drew University Rangers 12 (Bob Carella 3; Damon DiLorenzo 3; Abdul Jalloh 3). Total fouls-Haverford Fords 23, Drew University Rangers 23.