In a thrilling basketball showdown, Drake's hopes for a comeback victory were dashed by North Dakota State's relentless offense, leaving the Bulldogs with a 99-94 defeat in their final non-conference game. But this wasn't just any loss; it was a battle of the titans, with both teams firing on all cylinders from the tip-off.
The Knapp Center in Des Moines, Iowa, witnessed a scorching start as the Bulldogs and Bison traded blows in a high-scoring affair. Drake's Eli Shetlar and Owen Larson ignited the offense with their three-pointers, but NDSU refused to back down, shooting an astonishing 73% from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc, taking an early 20-13 lead.
And here's where it gets controversial: despite Drake's head coach Eric Henderson calling a timeout to regroup, NDSU's Treyson Anderson sank two more triples, extending their lead to 26-17. But the Bulldogs weren't going down without a fight. They mounted a furious rally, with Jaehshon Thomas and Jalen Quinn hitting back-to-back threes to narrow the gap. Yet, the Bison responded with a 10-2 run, showcasing their offensive prowess and taking a commanding 39-27 lead with 7:25 left in the half.
As the first half drew to a close, Drake's Okku Federiko kept them in the game with a pair of free throws, but NDSU's hot shooting continued. The Bison sank four of their last six shots, entering halftime with a substantial 55-41 lead.
The second half began with a flurry of buckets as Drake's Andrew Alia found his rhythm from downtown, draining consecutive threes. But NDSU, determined to maintain their lead, countered with three more long-range bombs, forcing Drake to call another timeout.
With just under 12 minutes left, NDSU hit their 17th three-pointer of the game, extending their lead to 80-62. Drake refused to surrender, chipping away at the deficit over the next eight minutes. A three-pointer by Alia brought Drake within six points with 3:50 remaining, and another clutch three by the junior with 29.6 seconds left cut the lead to 98-93.
But fate had other plans. A final free throw by NDSU's Wheeler-Thomas with 11 seconds on the clock sealed Drake's fate, ending their valiant comeback attempt.
Coach Henderson acknowledged NDSU's exceptional performance, stating, 'They came in and played terrific basketball, shooting the lights out. We struggled to disrupt their rhythm, especially in the first half.' He added, 'When you hit 14 threes at home, you expect to win, but it wasn't meant to be.'
Looking ahead, Drake prepares for their Missouri Valley Conference opener against Murray State on December 18, aiming to bounce back from their second consecutive loss. The Bulldogs, now 6-5 overall and 3-4 at home, will seek to improve upon their impressive 102-15 home record since the 2018-19 season.
Key Game Insights:
- Drake shot an impressive 51.9% from the field and an identical 51.9% from three-point range, making 14 threes in total.
- This loss marked the first time Drake suffered a defeat when making 10 or more three-pointers in a game this season.
- The Bulldogs dominated the boards, outrebounding NDSU 33-27.
- NDSU's 19 three-pointers were just one shy of their school record, showcasing their exceptional long-range shooting.
- The Bison capitalized on Drake's turnovers, scoring 23 points off them, including a 15-0 margin in the first half.
Player Highlights:
- Senior guard Jaden Quinn led Drake with 24 points, including a perfect 12-for-12 from the free-throw line, tying a school record.
- Quinn's scoring prowess was on full display as he netted 10 straight points in the first half.
- Sophomores Okku Federiko and Eli Shetlar contributed 18 and 16 points, respectively, with Shetlar hitting a career-high five threes.
- Andrew Alia and Owen Larson had career-high performances, with Alia scoring 15 points and Larson making his first career start.
Series History:
- North Dakota State secured their first-ever win against Drake in eight meetings.
- Drake holds a strong home record against the Bison, leading the series 6-1 in Des Moines.
What do you think about Drake's performance and their upcoming conference opener? Is there a strategy they could have employed to slow down NDSU's red-hot shooting? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
