Drexel Basketball at Stony Brook: Dragons Look to Build on Early Season Statement
Monday's CAA clash pits the Drexel Dragons (13-13) against the Stony Brook Seawolves (15-11) at Island Federal Credit Union Arena in Stony Brook, N. Y., with tip scheduled for 8 p. m. ET on Feb. 16, 2026. The winner will move closer to the conference's upper tier, while the loser falls further into the middle of the pack.
Drexel's edges: defense, efficiency and matchup advantages
Drexel enters the rematch with several measurable advantages. The Dragons sit ahead in effective field goal percentage, defensive efficiency and effective possession ratio, metrics that point to a team built to control pace and limit opponent scoring opportunities. On the perimeter, Drexel's defense is especially disruptive: opponents are connecting on roughly 31% from three against them, a mark that neutralizes teams that rely on frequent attempts from beyond the arc. Stony Brook ranks high in 3-point attempt rate, which sets up a stylistic conflict that favors the Dragons.
Despite a recent 93-73 loss at Monmouth, Drexel still demonstrates defensive strengths that can carry it through tight conference battles. The Dragons force about 11 turnovers per game and rank among the better units in limiting opponents' scoring. Offensively, Drexel has been uneven — the team averages 68. 6 points per game and converts 44. 0% from the floor — but its defensive foundation keeps it competitive in low-possession CAA affairs.
Individual contributors will matter. Dillon Tingler led Drexel with 19 points in their most recent outing and figures to be a central piece if the Dragons hope to contain Stony Brook's primary scorers while generating efficient offense in transition and halfcourt sets.
What Stony Brook must do to right the ship
Stony Brook arrives having split its conference slate and trailing Drexel in certain efficiency metrics, yet the Seawolves still possess the firepower to change the narrative. The first matchup was decidedly one-sided — a 65-37 outcome that left Stony Brook needing a major offensive reset — and the Seawolves must score significantly more than 37 points to have a realistic chance of flipping the series.
Erik Pratt will be the player to watch for Stony Brook. He is averaging about 19. 0 points, 4. 6 rebounds and 3. 6 assists this season, and the Seawolves' hopes for a turnaround hinge on Pratt finding more consistent production than he did in the earlier meeting, when he shot just 26. 7% from the field. Improved shot selection, more aggressive drives to the rim and better support from complementary scorers will be necessary for Stony Brook to overcome Drexel's defensive discipline.
Rebounding and limiting easy transition points will also be vital. Stony Brook must convert offensive possessions at a higher rate while tightening its own defense to avoid giving Drexel clean looks from the perimeter or in early offense situations.
Game context, odds and what to watch
Early market lines opened with Drexel as a narrow underdog by roughly 2. 5 points and the total set near 135. 5 points, reflecting expectations for a controlled, lower-scoring contest. Those numbers underscore how closely matched these teams are in conference play despite measurable advantages favoring Drexel on the defensive side.
Key matchups to monitor: Drexel's perimeter defenders against Stony Brook's 3-point creators, and Drexel's ability to limit second-chance opportunities against Stony Brook's interior presence. Turnover margin will be another decisive factor — the team that protects the ball and converts turnovers into points will likely emerge with the win.
Monday's game represents more than another line on the schedule; it is a chance for both programs to stake a claim in the CAA race. Drexel will look to validate its stylistic edge and statistical advantages, while Stony Brook will aim for a corrective performance led by its primary scorers. Tip-off is 8 p. m. ET, and the result will reshape the middle tier of the conference standings heading into the season's final stretch.
