The Drexel women’s basketball team officially joined the Philadelphia Women’s Big 5 this past summer. In November, the Dragons played their first-ever game in the storied conference that is such a big part of Philadelphia’s basketball history. The six Division I schools split into two pods of three teams. The teams in each pod play each other, with each team having one home and one road game. After pod play, all six schools played in the Toyota Big 5 Classic tripleheader to determine the 2024 Big 5 champion.
The Dragons, led by Head Coach Amy Mallon, faced La Salle on Nov. 13 at the Daskalakis Athletic Center in the school’s first-ever Women’s Big 5 game. The Dragons opened pod play with a convincing 73-40 victory over the Explorers. Amaris Baker, last year’s CAA Tournament Most Valuable Player, led Drexel with 22 points, while Deja Evans chipped in with 14 points and Chloe Hodges tallied 10.
It was the first victory for the Dragons as a member of the Big 5, but it wasn’t the first for their head coach. As a student-athlete at Saint Joseph’s, Mallon won a Big 5 Championship. She also won three titles as an assistant coach and is a member of the prestigious Big 5 Hall of Fame.
In the second game of the pod, the Dragons traveled up North Broad Street to face Temple. The Owls edged Drexel 52-43 as the Dragons finished second in their pod. That left Drexel with a matchup against Saint Joseph’s University in the second game of the Toyota Big 5 Classic on Dec. 6. The Drexel faithful had a good showing, as the band, spirit team and a good number of Drexel students and staff made the trip out on Lancaster to the Main Line. Unfortunately, the Dragons ran into a hot-shooting Hawks team and lost to their city rivals 69-47.
Despite the results, it was a memorable experience for the Dragons. The format will continue next season as the Dragons look to bring the school its first Big 5 championship.