ATLANTA (AP) -- Chaz Crawford had 17 points, 13 rebounds and six blocked shots as Drexel defeated Georgia State 61-to-55 Wednesday for its eighth straight win.
Drexel (10-2 overall, 2-0 Colonial Athletic Association) made 7-of-9 free throws in the final two minutes to hold off a comeback attempt by the Panthers, who lost two starters in 24 hours prior to the game.
Starting wing Brandon Cartwright broke a finger in practice Tuesday, and team captain Leonard Mendez came down with the flu. Georgia State (4-8, 0-2) already was without reserve forward Wesley Turner, sidelined with a broken nose two games ago.
Frank Elegar added 13 points and seven rebounds for the Dragons, who used a 9-0 run starting four minutes into the game en route to a 27-18 halftime lead. Meanwhile, the Panthers had 11 turnovers and shot just 23 percent in the first half.
GSU pulled within five points twice during the final three minutes at 51-46 with 3:48 and 53-48 with 2:15 before Drexel sealed the win from the free-throw line.
Georgia State got 17 points and eight rebounds from Lance Perique and 11 points each from Rashad Chase and Trae Goldston. Bashir Mason added 11 points and four steals for Drexel.