Recap: Towson vs. Drexel

Towson, MD (Sports Network) - Jerome Hairston had 20 points and three steals, as the Towson Tigers hung on for a 72-71 win over the Drexel Dragons in a Colonial Athletic Association tussle at Towson Center Arena.

Jerrelle Benimon chipped in with 19 points and nine rebounds for the Tigers (16-13, 11-5 CAA), winners of six of their last seven games. Mike Burwell added 10 points, while Bilal Dixon pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds to go along with his seven points.

Leading the way for the Dragons (11-17, 7-9) was Frantz Massenat with a game- high 24 points. Derrick Thomas was next in line with 13 points, while Damion Lee and Daryl McCoy scored 12 and 10 points, respectively.

The Tigers had the hot hand in the first half, as they knocked down 5-of-8 3- pointers and shot 53.8 percent from the floor to build a 41-33 halftime lead.

However, the Tigers cooled off in the second stanza (.375) as Drexel heated up (.536). With Towson clinging to a two-point lead in the final seconds, Drexel's Kazembe Abif was fouled while pulling down an offensive rebound with two seconds on the clock. However, Abif was only able to make 1-of-2 free throws, and the Tigers prevailed.

With the victory, Towson swept the season series with Drexel after losing the previous seven head-to-head matchups.