POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (Interstat) — Propelled by a dominant first-half defensive effort and a game-high 27 points from Amaris Baker, the Drexel Dragons remained undefeated with a 71-61 victory over the Marist Red Foxes in a non-conference women’s basketball game Friday night at a sparsely attended McCann Recreation Center.

A crowd of 731 watched as the Dragons improved to 2-0 on the young season, while the Red Foxes dropped to 0-2.

The game was effectively decided in the opening twenty minutes, as Drexel’s stifling defense held Marist to a paltry 20 first-half points. The Dragons raced out to a 19-11 lead after the first quarter and extended their advantage significantly in the second, outscoring the Red Foxes 16-9 to carry a commanding 35-20 lead into the halftime break.

Marist showed signs of life after the intermission, mounting a challenge in the third quarter by outscoring Drexel 18-17. The Red Foxes’ offensive push continued into the final period, where they posted their highest scoring output of the night with 23 points. However, Drexel’s offense proved too consistent, matching their first-quarter total with another 19 points in the fourth to quash any hopes of a dramatic comeback. The Dragons never allowed the Marist deficit to become a single-digit threat in the game’s closing minutes.

The statistical profile of the game underscored Drexel’s control, particularly in the paint where they established a decisive 40-24 advantage. This interior dominance was a key factor in overcoming a contest where both teams scored an identical 13 points off turnovers.

Baker, a 5-foot-7 guard from Philadelphia, was the undisputed star of the night. In 38 minutes of action, she poured in 27 points, a scoring barrage that the Marist defense had no answer for. Her performance set the tone for the Dragons and provided the offensive firepower necessary to build and maintain their lead.

She was not alone in her efforts. Laine McGurk, a 5-10 guard from West Chester, Pennsylvania, provided crucial secondary scoring, adding 15 points in 34 minutes. The Dragons’ frontcourt also made significant contributions. Mariah Watkins, a 6-foot forward from Rochester, New York, recorded a double-double with 10 points, while 6-2 forward Deja Evans of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, anchored the defense with a formidable four blocked shots to go along with her 12 points. Evans’ presence in the paint was instrumental in disrupting Marist’s offensive rhythm, especially during the decisive first half.

For Marist, the loss highlighted a recurring theme of struggling to find consistent offense. Justine Henry, a 6-foot forward from Long Island, New York, led the Red Foxes with 15 points, two assists and one block in 37 minutes. She was one of three Marist players to finish with 12 points, joined by Lexie Tarul, a 5-10 guard from the Bronx, and Danielle Williamsen, a 5-7 guard from Staten Island who also dished out three assists. Despite the trio’s efforts, the team’s slow start proved insurmountable against a disciplined Drexel squad.

The result aligned with pregame projections from Interstat’s ELO system, which had given Drexel a 72.80 percent probability of winning. The Dragons have now opened their season with two impressive road victories, having also defeated the Pittsburgh Panthers 68-60 this past Tuesday. Marist, conversely, is searching for its first win after opening the campaign with a 74-46 road loss to Albany.

Looking ahead, Drexel will play its home opener on Wednesday, Nov. 12, against the Penn Quakers. The Dragons will then host Loyola Maryland on Sunday, Nov. 16, before hitting the road again for games at Lehigh and NJIT.

Marist will seek its first victory of the season when it returns to the McCann Recreation Center to host the Bryant Bulldogs on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The Red Foxes will then welcome Holy Cross on Sunday, Nov. 16, followed by a home game against Stony Brook on Wednesday, Nov. 19. A challenging non-conference slate awaits Marist, including a neutral-site contest against the LSU Tigers in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Friday, Nov. 28.