PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — In a tense Colonial Athletic Association clash that came down to the final seconds, the Drexel Dragons edged the Campbell Fightin’ Camels 65-60 on Thursday night at Daskalakis Athletic Center.

The game, witnessed by 1,044 fans, was a defensive struggle defined by critical plays in the final minute. With the score tied at 60 and 18 seconds remaining, Drexel’s Eli Beard was fouled and calmly sank both free throws to give the Dragons a lead they would not relinquish.

Campbell had a chance to tie or take the lead on its ensuing possession, but Jeremiah Johnson’s driving layup missed with nine seconds left. Drexel’s Shane Blakeney secured the defensive rebound, was fouled, and made one of two free throws to push the lead to three. After a Campbell timeout, Johnson connected on a deep 3-pointer with four seconds left, momentarily pulling the Fightin’ Camels to within 63-60.

The Dragons inbounded the ball to Beard, who was immediately fouled. He again sank both free throws with one second on the clock to seal the five-point victory.

The contest was a tale of two halves, with both teams locked at 27-27 at the break. Drexel found its offensive rhythm after halftime, outscoring Campbell 38-33 in the second period. The Dragons’ ability to execute in the final minute proved the difference in a game where neither team led by more than eight points.

Dovydas Butka, Campbell’s 6-foot-9 forward from Lithuania, was the dominant force on the floor, scoring a game-high 22 points on efficient interior shooting. He added several key rebounds in his 34 minutes. Jeremiah Johnson supported him with 15 points for the Fightin’ Camels, while DJ Smith added 10.

Drexel countered with a balanced offensive attack. Shane Blakeney matched Butka with 22 points, including several crucial baskets down the stretch, and added a key block. Victor Panov provided a significant all-around performance with 13 points, four assists and two blocks, using his 6-foot-7 frame to disrupt Campbell’s offense. Garfield Turner was a constant presence inside, contributing 12 points and three assists.

The loss dropped Campbell to 13-16 overall this season, while Drexel improved to 16-14. The game was a reversal of the teams’ previous meeting on Feb. 5, when Campbell secured an 81-60 victory at home.

Defense and rebounding were central themes throughout the night. Campbell’s Muneer Newton, a Philadelphia native, made his presence felt off the bench with six points and two blocks in just 14 minutes, including an early swat that set a physical tone. Both teams struggled from 3-point range and the free-throw line, making the battle in the paint and the late-game composure at the charity stripe the decisive factors.

The game’s pivotal sequence began with the score knotted at 60. Following a Campbell turnover, Drexel worked the ball to Beard, who drew the foul on his drive. His two makes put Drexel ahead for good. After Blakeney’s free throw extended the lead, Johnson’s heroic 3-pointer provided a final moment of drama, but Beard’s subsequent foul shots closed the door.

According to pregame analytics, Drexel was projected with a 69.4% probability to win as a slight one-point favorite. The combined score of 125 fell well under the over/under line of 141.5, underscoring the defensive nature of the contest.

Campbell will look to rebound quickly, traveling to face Towson on Saturday. Drexel’s next outing is a road game at Hofstra on Tuesday.