Drake’s strong defense proved itself in their recent victory, as they secured their first NCAA tournament win in over five decades by upsetting Missouri with a score of 67-57. Despite making multiple appearances in the tournament in recent years, this was Drake’s first win since 1971. They will now face either Texas Tech or UNC Wilmington in the next round.
Drake’s defense was outstanding, holding Missouri to a season-low 23 points in the first half. Bennett Stirtz, the MVC scoring leader and Player of the Year, nearly matched Missouri’s scoring output on his own with 14 points in the first half. The Bulldogs dominated defensively, limiting Missouri to just seven made field goals and going on a significant scoring run to establish a double-digit lead.
In the second half, Drake continued their defensive prowess by holding Missouri without a field goal for nearly eight minutes, allowing them to build a 15-point lead. Though Missouri made a late rally, Drake held on for the win with a 10-point margin.
Stirtz led Drake with 21 points, while Tavion Banks contributed 15 off the bench. Despite some struggles at the free-throw line, Drake shot over 54% from the field as a team. Known for their strong defensive play throughout the season, Drake limited opponents to an average of 58.4 points per game.
Coach Ben McCollum has led Drake to success in the tournament, and despite potential job offers, he has guided the team to a remarkable performance this year.
We will observe the extent to which this style can propel them in the tournament.
