POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (Interstat) — Amaris Baker scored a game-high 27 points as 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 McCann Recreation Center.

The Dragons, now 2-0, used a dominant first half to build a commanding lead and withstood a late push from the Red Foxes, who fell to 0-2.

Drexel established control from the opening tip, outscoring Marist 19-11 in the first quarter and extending their lead with a 16-9 second quarter. The Dragons took a 35-20 advantage into halftime, fueled by stifling defense that held Marist to just 20 first-half points.

The Red Foxes found their rhythm after the break, outscoring Drexel 18-17 in the third quarter and mounting a significant challenge in the final period. A 23-point fourth-quarter outburst from Marist, led by Lexie Tarul and Justine Henry, cut the deficit to single digits, but the Dragons’ early cushion proved insurmountable.

Baker, a guard from Philadelphia, was efficient from the floor, shooting 10 for 19, including 3 of 6 from beyond the arc. She added four rebounds and two steals in 38 minutes of action.

She was supported by a balanced Dragons attack. Laine McGurk added 15 points and seven rebounds, while Mariah Watkins and Deja Evans each contributed 12 points. Evans was a force defensively, recording four of Drexel’s five blocked shots.

For Marist, Justine Henry led the way with 15 points, seven rebounds and two assists. Tarul and Danielle Williamsen each finished with 12 points. Williamsen also dished out three assists.

The game was ultimately decided by Drexel’s interior presence and rebounding. The Dragons owned a decisive 40-24 advantage in points in the paint and a commanding 13-4 edge in offensive rebounds, leading to numerous second-chance opportunities. Drexel shot 44.3 percent from the field on 61 attempts, while Marist finished at 41.1 percent on 56 shots.

Despite the loss, Marist was effective from three-point range, connecting on 7 of 14 attempts, compared to Drexel’s 5 of 12. The Red Foxes also committed fewer turnovers, eight to Drexel’s 11.

The announced attendance was 731.

Drexel, which opened its season with a road win at Pittsburgh, will next host Penn on Wednesday. Marist, coming off a season-opening loss at Albany, looks for its first win when it hosts Bryant on Tuesday.