William & Mary saw an eight-point fourth-quarter lead slip away Sunday afternoon, falling 63–61 to Drexel at Kaplan Arena.
The loss moves the Tribe to 13–12 overall and 6–8 in CAA play, while the Dragons improve to 17–8 and 10–4 in conference action.
After controlling much of the contest, William & Mary entered the final period ahead by eight. Drexel gradually closed the gap and pulled in front during the final minute. The Tribe answered with 11 seconds remaining to tie the score, but the Dragons converted a layup seven seconds from the end to regain the lead and hold on for the win.
Cassidy Geddes led all Tribe scorers with 22 points, hitting five three-pointers and calmly sinking three free throws in the closing seconds to draw the game even. Marley Long contributed 10 points and grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Alexa Mikeska added nine points, connecting on three of her five attempts from beyond the arc. Natalie Fox finished with eight points and six rebounds, while Jana Sallman posted eight points and eight rebounds.
William & Mary shot 36.9 percent (24-of-65) from the field and 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from long range. The Tribe committed 15 turnovers and received 10 points from its bench unit.
Geddes provided an early spark with a pair of three-pointers as the teams traded baskets throughout the opening period. Mikeska knocked down a triple in the closing seconds to send the game into the second quarter tied at 15–15.
The Tribe gained momentum offensively in the second, shooting better than 41 percent and stretching the lead to as many as 11 points. Geddes continued to pace the scoring effort, and Sallman supplied interior production. Although Drexel cut into the margin late, William & Mary took a 32–23 advantage into halftime.
Both teams matched each other basket-for-basket coming out of the break. Long and Mikeska each connected from deep, helping the Tribe maintain control and carry a 51–43 lead into the fourth quarter.
William & Mary protected its advantage for much of the final frame before Drexel mounted a late push. The Dragons limited the Tribe to three field goals in the quarter and seized the lead in the final minute. Geddes converted three straight free throws with 11 seconds remaining to tie the contest at 61–61. Drexel responded with a layup moments later, and the Tribe’s final three-point attempt at the buzzer did not fall.