Arena #155: Daskalakis Athletic Center - Drexel vs. Delaware

While my trip to Philly for Arena #154 was an aggressive 8-hour drive from Greensboro, my trip to Arena #155 was one of my shortest as I remained in Philly for a visit to the Daskalakis Athletic Center on the campus of Drexel University for a Colonial Athletic showdown between the host Dragons and the visiting Delaware Blue Hens.  While this was my first time inside the Daskalakis Athletic Center, it wasn’t the first time I’d seen it from the outside having walked past it during my visit to the Palestra just 13 months prior.  This was a much more normally set up and designed arena, especially at the mid-major level, compared to yesterday’s stop at La Salle.  The crowd wasn’t huge for this game, but the few Drexel students that were at the game were definitely into the game and the Blue Hens brought themselves up a strong contingent from Newark, who were also quite boisterous when Delaware was playing well.  The atmosphere was also helped by the fact that this game was pretty competitive throughout.  Drexel led by 10 at half before Delaware made a bit of a run and the game was played within a 4-8 point window throughout most of the second half.  Ultimately, the home fans were able to go home happy as Drexel won the game by 6.

The dragon eyes are a nice touch inside the main entrance 

Pregame inside the seating bowl of the arena

There were a lot of students at this game, but had to get a picture of the few that were there trolling the Blue Hens

Opening tip between Drexel and Delaware