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Drexel Women Battle Bowling Green In WNIT Third Round

By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Drexel women's basketball team has advanced to the third round of the WNIT and on Thursday night they will visit Bowling Green.

It has already been an outstanding campaign for the Dragons.  Their 24 wins are tied for the most in a single-season in program history.

"They (the players) definitely want the season to last as long as possible," Drexel head coach Denise Dillon tells KYW Newsradio.  "You can just see the energy and the excitement each time we step on the floor.  You would never know it is the end of March, the way they're practicing and the mentality they have each and every day."

This WNIT run comes after the Dragons had their hearts broken in the CAA Championship game.  Drexel stormed back from a 17-point deficit against a Delaware team that has advanced to the 'Sweet 16' of the NCAA Tournament, just to fall short in the final minutes and lose by three.  The Dragons, obviously, haven't led that disappointment linger.

"I have to praise our leaders, our captains," Dillon says.  "(Senior) Hollie Mershon reached out to her teammates that Monday and said, 'Hey, we have an opportunity to win another championship and let's get on board, ready for practice on Tuesday and do whatever is necessary.'"

Denise Dillon Interview

Bowling Green has an identical record as Drexel (24-10) and Dillon says they are actually very similar to her squad when it comes to style of play.

"They play strong offensively," Dillon says.  "They move the ball.  They have a little more post presence than we do.  Then on the defensive end, the versatility that they show on the offensive end carries over to the defensive end.  They are able to guard a little bit of everything."

The winner of this game will get the winner of Tulane and Auburn in the quarterfinals.

Drexel and Bowling Green tip-off at 7:00pm on Thursday night.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.

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