UCLA vs. Drexel - Preview

No. 16 Ben Howland's UCLA Bruins (Pac-10/3-1) play James "Bruiser" Flint's Drexel Dragons (Colonial Athletic Association/3-1) in Friday's NIT Season Tip-Off third-place game at Madison Square Garden.

This is the first meeting between the two teams.

On Thursday night at The Garden, Drexel stayed with No. 1 Duke throughout most of the game, before falling 78-68.

The Dragons had three players in double figures, led by junior guard Dominick Mejia's 25 points. By advancing to New York City, the Dragons won at Princeton (54-41) and defeated Sam Houston State 72-61 in Philadelphia.

Entering the Duke contest, the Dragons' had four players scoring in double figures, led by Mejia (16.7).

Chaz Crawford, 6-10 junior center, was seventh last season in the nation in blocked shots (he had three vs. Duke) and led the Dragons in rebounding (6.8/he had a game-high tying nine rebounds vs. Duke).

Junior point guard Bashir Mason last season was a CAA All-Defensive team selection.

The Bruins return home Saturday morning and will host two home games in Pauley Pavilion the following week.

On Tuesday (Nov. 29), UCLA will play Albany at 7:30 p.m. (TV-FSNW2/Radio-XTRA 570) and on Sunday (Dec. 4), the Bruins face Coppin State at 1 p.m. (TV-none/Radio-XTRA 570).

(UCLA Press Release)