BALTIMORE (AP) – Derrick Thomas scored 19 points, including three free throws in the final 1:27, to help Drexel hold off Towson 66-63 on Saturday.

Dartaye Ruffin scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half for the Dragons (20-9, 11-7 Colonial Athletic Association), who reached 20 wins for the first time since 2006-07 and clinched the fifth seed for the CAA tournament.

Drexel will have a rematch with Towson (4-25, 0-18), which has lost 18 consecutive games, in Friday’s first round.

Isaiah Philmore hit a jumper to pull Towson to within 63-61 with 1:55 left, but Thomas countered with a free throw.

After Dre Conner made two to cut the lead to 64-63 with 39 seconds left, Thomas hit two more with 17 seconds to play.

Towson’s Brian Morris missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

Drexel’s Daryl McCoy had 13 rebounds.

Josh Brown scored 21 points, and Philmore had 15 and 10 rebounds.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)