Drexel Kind of Owns the Big East

Ten days removed from their first win in 17 tries against Villanova, the Drexel Dragons struck again, this time shocking No. 23 Syracuse 84-79 in the Carrier Dome.

The win was Drexel's first over a nationally ranked opponent since 1996.

"I think we have a good team, to be honest with you," said Drexel coach Bruiser "Hey Remember Me?" Flint. "I think we're coming into these games thinking we have a good chance to win."

We read somewhere that Bruiser
was the most popular name in the world.

The Dragons survived a monster night from Syracuse's Demtris Nichols (31 points) thanks in large part to the performance of junior center Frank Elegar who scored a career-high 27 points, including 15 in the second half. He also grabbed 10 rebounds. Bashir Mason added 14 points for Drexel, and Dominick Mejia scored 16.

The Dragons were helped by an injury to the left knee of Syracuse forward Terrence Roberts, the Orange's leading rebounder. The 6-foot-9 Roberts, who had five points and six rebounds to help stake Syracuse to a 43-36 halftime lead, went down hard in the final minute of the first half and did not play in the second.

"We're fragile. We can't afford to play without Terrence," Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim said. "I was disappointed with what we did defensively with him out of there."

Syracuse, which went 13-for-24 from the field in the first half, hit just 13-of-41 for 31.7 percent in the second.