For the third time this season, Drexel and Delaware needed extra time to settle things. But for the first time this season, the No. 5 Blue Hens prevailed with a 67-61 triumph in the CAA quarterfinals.
CAA Player of the Year Elena Delle Donne wasn't great - that is, until she had to be. The Dragons held Delle Donne to 21 points on 6 of 23 shooting in regulation, But with fourth-seeded Drexel ahead by five and less than two minutes to go, Delle Donne took over. Her 3-pointer with 1:32 to go got the Blue Hens to within two. And her rebound putback of an Eva Riddick missed free throw snapped a 61-61 tie with 17 seconds remaining. She wound scoring nine of her team's final 11 points (2 of 2 from the field, 4 of 4 from the line) and answered any questions about her ability to take over a game against a quality team in a big spot.
(Ever listen to a Delaware game on radio? It sounds likes there's four players named Delle Donne out there. "Rebound by Delle Donne." "Shot by Delle Donne." "Steal by Delle Donne." Girl sure does get around....)
The loss was Drexel's fifth straight - all in excruciating fashion - and ended its bid to repeat as CAA champions. But the Dragons (17-13) should be in line for a WNIT bid which would assure at least one final curtain call for the great Gabriela Marginean. Marginean was her usual outstanding self in defeat Friday - 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. But while Delle Donne grabbed the game by its throat in overtime, Marginean went scoreless in the extra period.
Meanwhile, the Blue Hens (21-10) advances to play No. 1 Old Dominion in a CAA semifinal Saturday at noon.
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