Drake Bulldogs' Comeback Falls Short Against NDSU in High-Scoring Affair
Des Moines, Iowa – The Drake Bulldogs faced a tough challenge in their final pre-conference game, ultimately falling to North Dakota State with a final score of 99-94. The game, played at the Knapp Center, was a high-octane offensive showcase, but unfortunately for Drake, NDSU's scorching shooting proved too difficult to overcome.
From the opening tip-off, both teams displayed impressive accuracy. Drake's offense, sparked by three-pointers from Eli Shetlar and Owen Larson, kept pace early on. However, NDSU was on fire, hitting an astounding 73% of their shots, including a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc. This gave NDSU a seven-point lead, prompting a timeout from Drake's head coach, Eric Henderson, at the 12:52 mark in the first half.
NDSU continued to build their lead, extending it to 26-17. Drake responded with an 8-0 run, fueled by Jaehshon Thomas and Jalen Quinn. But NDSU answered with a run of their own, pushing their lead back to double digits, 39-27, with just over seven minutes left in the half. Despite Drake's efforts to close the gap, NDSU maintained their hot streak, ending the first half with a significant 14-point advantage, 55-41.
The second half began with both teams trading baskets at a rapid pace. Andrew Alia connected on consecutive three-pointers for Drake, but NDSU matched their intensity, forcing another timeout from the Drake bench. NDSU's lead reached its peak with a 17th three-pointer, extending their advantage to 80-62. Drake fought back, slowly chipping away at the deficit, with Alia hitting another three-pointer to bring the score to 92-86. Despite a late push, including another three-pointer from Alia, Drake's comeback fell short as NDSU secured the victory with a final free throw, ending the game at 99-94.
Coach Henderson acknowledged NDSU's exceptional performance, particularly their outstanding shooting. He emphasized the need for Drake to find their identity, especially on the defensive end. Despite making 14 three-pointers on their home court, Drake couldn't secure the win.
But here's where it gets interesting...
Drake's loss marks their second consecutive defeat, dropping their overall record to 6-5 before entering Missouri Valley Conference play. They will hit the road to face Murray State on Thursday, December 18th.
Key Team Takeaways:
- Drake's home record is now 3-4 this season, but they have a strong overall home record of 102-15 since the 2018-19 season.
- Drake shot 51.9% from the field and an impressive 51.9% from three-point range.
- This was Drake's first loss in four games when making 10 or more three-pointers.
- Drake outrebounded NDSU, 33-27, but matched their largest halftime deficit of the season.
- NDSU made a season-high 19 three-point baskets.
- NDSU scored 23 points off Drake turnovers.
Individual Standouts:
- Jaden Quinn led Drake with 24 points and a team-high 6 assists, tying a school record for free throw percentage, making 12 of 12 free throws.
- Okku Federiko contributed 18 points.
- Eli Shetlar scored a career-high 16 points, including a career-high 5 three-pointers.
- Andrew Alia had a career-high 15 points and tied his career-high with 4 three-pointers.
- Owen Larson made his first career start for Drake, with a three-pointer and 5 assists.
The Series:
- This was North Dakota State's first victory in their eight meetings against Drake.
- Drake's record against the Bison in Des Moines is now 6-1.
Controversy & Comment Hooks: Do you think Drake's defensive struggles were the main reason for the loss, or was NDSU's incredible shooting simply too much to overcome? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
