Sophomore guard Chris Kendrix popped in 21 points to tie his career-high, but he missed two clutch free throws down the stretch to give the Bulldogs a chance at pulling of the upset in the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
Drake’s sophomore guard Reed Timmer grabbed the ball with four seconds remaining and got a clear look at the basket from just beyond half court, but his shot rimmed out.
Kendrix scored 17 points in the first half on four three pointers as he led MSU to its lead steadily.
Freshman forward Obediah Church made the highlight reel with two alley-oops in the first half (with a third coming in the second half).