PANTHERS TRAVEL TO DREXEL FOR FINAL TIME
Georgia State's women's team heads back for its third road game in the last 11 days when it journeys 750 miles up to Philadelphia to battle third-place Drexel on Super Bowl Sunday afternoon.
GSU, who has played five of its last eight games on the road, will continue its farewell tour through the Colonial Athletic Association. GSU heads off to the Sun Belt for its football at FBS-level next year.
Drexel had put together a six-game winning streak and had a half-game lead for first over Delaware before bowing by 10 points Sunday to the Blue Hens and then were upset Thursday at ODU, 53-50. Drexel is led by All-CAA senior guard Hollie Mershon, who is first in the CAA in scoring (18.5) until Delle Donne plays enough games. Mershon is second in assists (4.2) and free throw shooting (87.1%). She is fifth with 38 3-point baskets and 10th in rebounding (6.7).
Georgia State has won two ot its last three road games, winning at George Mason and Towson, while losing at Old Dominion. GSU is more than ready to stay at home for its next three games. This is the first two-day road trip GSU has had in the CAA after a pair of five-day trips previously in playing two at a time on road trips.
OPPOSITES ATTRACT
GSU is No. 12 in the NCAA 3-point defense (25.2) and No. 36 in overall field goal percentage (35.1), while sitting at No. 66 in blocked shots (4.3) and No. 96 in steals (9.9). The up-tempo Panthers allow 59 points a game in a high-possession type attack.
Drexel has its success with its offense. The Dragons cash in with solid shooting (43.3 to rank No. 30 in the NCAA). They make 3-point shots (5.9 per game to rank No. 78 in NCAA). They make their free throws (76.9% to rank No. 10 NCAA). They take care of the ball with an assist/turnover ratio that is No. 6 NCAA. They are No. 6 in fewest turnovers in the NCAA. They play a slower, more half-court style with fewer possessions. Their losses have been close (2, 3 in OT, 3, 6 and 7, for example).
GEORGIA STATE-DREXEL SERIES HISTORY
After 10 meetings since Georgia State joined the CAA in 2005-06, the Dragons lead, 8-2. In a scheduling quirk, this will be a third straight year the Panthers travel to Philadelphia in their only meeting of the season. It was four years ago in 2009-10 that Drexel came to Atlanta and the Panthers won, 60-58.
In Drexel's 19-win season last year, the Dragons shut down GSU at the DAC, 65-38. In Drexel's 19-win season two years ago, Drexel held GSU in check, 56-46.
GSU won here on Feb. 11, 2009 by seven points (55-48) and at Delaware on Feb. 28. 2008 by 12 points (58-46).
A QUICK LOOK AT DREXEL
Located in University City, just across the Schuylkill River from downtown Phildelphia, Drexel has 25,000 students.
Coach Denise Dillon is in her 10th season with the Dragons in building a strong program. Gabriela Marginean set the all-time CAA scoring record and was a first round WNBA pick in 2010 under Coach Dillon.
Call it the famous little sister club, but Drexel has a pair of members on its roster. Taylor Wootton is the little sis of Chicago Bear, DE, Corey. Abby Reddick is the little sis of the ACC's all-time scoring leader, J.J.
