WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - The William & Mary women's basketball team was unable to complete a comeback bid in a 62-58 setback against Colonial Athletic Association rival Drexel during its annual Golden Game on Sunday.
 
The Tribe (11-9, 4-5 CAA) had early success in the first quarter after a layup from senior Bianca Boggs gave W&M an 11-6 lead at 5:13 mark. However, the Dragons (15-5, 7-2 CAA) erased the deficit with an 8-0 run to grab a 17-13 advantage at the end of the period.
 
The matchup went back-and-forth in the second quarter. Freshman Eva Hodgson knocked down a pair of free throws, junior Victoria Reynolds followed with a layup and the Tribe regained the lead, 24-23, with 5:01 left in the first half. Drexel then responded with a 13-6 run to grab a 36-30 margin at the intermission.
 
In the third quarter, the Tribe relied on four three-pointers to slice the difference to one-point at the end of the period. Rookie Emma Krause buried the first triple at the 7:05 mark. With 2:26 left to go, Boggs converted a traditional 3-point play to tie it up, 40-40. The Dragons regained its advantage, but back-to-back 3-pointers from redshirt sophomore Harper Birdsong made it a 47-46 affair heading into the final 10 minutes.
 
The Dragons sparked an 8-4 run for a 60-54 lead with only 2:06 remaining in regulation. Nonetheless, the Tribe applied full court pressure that led to four consecutive made free throws. Down 60-58, Reynolds snagged a huge rebound to give W&M possession with 16 seconds on the clock. However, the Tribe was unable to capitalize and Drexel escaped with the victory.
 
W&M Starters - #2 Boggs, #10 Hodgson, #11 Pollard, #25 Rogers #30 Reynolds
 
Drexel Starters - #1 Washington, #11 Brown, #12 Nihill, #23 Greenberg, #24 Metzel
 
Individual Leaders
Senior Bianca Boggs highlighted W&M's effort after finishing just shy of a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds. Freshman Eva Hodgson filled up her stat line with 12 points, six rebounds and four assists, including an 8-for-8 effort at the charity strip. Redshirt sophomore Harper Birdsong also poured in 15 points in 27 minutes off the bench.
 
The Dragons received a large chunk of its production from Baily Greenberg and Niki Metzel. Greenberg enjoyed a 24-point, 11-rebound double-double and dished out four assists. Metzel added 18 points and eight rebounds. Hannah Nihill also pitched in seven points.
 
Inside the Numbers
- Both teams posted lower shooting percentages then their season averages, as W&M finished 38-percent (19-for-50) from the floor and Drexel shot only 35-percent (23-for-66).
- The Dragons knocked down eight 3-pointers to sustain separation from the Tribe.
- The rebounding battle was very close with W&M holding a 39-38 edge.
- The Tribe did well in protecting the rim after posting nine blocks.
- W&M committed 15 turnovers and Drexel had nine.

Notes
Senior Bianca Boggs made her 100^th career start today, becoming just the 10th player in school to achieve the milestone … Rookie Eva Hodgson ranks fifth for most assists (63) by a W&M freshman … Hodgson finished perfect from the free throw line for the fourth time … Hodgson is also on a streak of four-consecutive games with 10-plus points …  The freshman is shooting 92.1-percent (35-for-38) from the free throw line in CAA play ... The Tribe suffered back-to-back losses for the first time this year … Redshirt sophomore Harper Birdsong has made at least three 3-pointers on seven occasions.
 
What's Ahead
The Tribe starts a season-long three-game road swing with Charleston on Friday, Feb. 8 at 11:30 am. W&M will conclude next weekend at UNCW on Sunday, Feb. 10 at 2 pm.