MORRISTOWN, N.J. – The Drew University men's basketball team outscored Saint Elizabeth 13-2 during a crucial late-game run and the Rangers opened their 2023-24 season on a high note, downing the host Eagles 94-82 in a non-conference matchup between a pair of cross-town rivals Wednesday evening.
 
The Rangers led just 78-75 with 3:04 remaining when sophomore forward David Musial scored six straight points for Drew, making it 84-76 with 2:18 to go. Senior guard Andrew Turco capped the decisive run when he nailed a 3-pointer with 1:08 that put it out of reach at 91-77.
 
Junior guard Papie Roberts scored a career-high 21 points while dishing out five assists for the Blue and Green. He was one of five Rangers to score in double figures, as senior guard James Anderson (14 points, six rebounds), Musial (13 points, nine rebounds), Turco (13 points), and sophomore forward Kevin Cronin (12 points) led a balanced offense for Drew.
 
Pierre Harden led Saint Elizabeth with 19 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists.
 
The Rangers never trailed in the first half after opening the game on a 16-4 run, which was capped by back-to-back 3-pointers from junior forward Peso Crump and a triple from Cronin with 15:16 on the clock.
 
The Eagles rallied late in the half, however, pulling to within one (35-34) with 2:48 on the clock. But junior guard Josh Kline and Anderson each knocked down a trey in the final two minutes of the half and the Rangers led 41-36 at the intermission.
 
The hosts came all the way back to tie the game at 59-all with 12:20 left before going in front less than a minute later. It was a close game over the next nine minutes before Drew's game-clinching run.
 
The Rangers are back in action on Tuesday, when they host Centenary (N.J.) University at 7 p.m. in their home opener.