In a nail-biting showdown, the Drake Bulldogs clawed their way to a thrilling 66-65 victory over the Evansville Purple Aces, securing their first Missouri Valley Conference win of the season. But here's where it gets controversial: was this a testament to Drake's resilience, or did Evansville simply let the win slip through their fingers? Let's dive into the action-packed details.
The game, held in Evansville, Indiana, was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts and clutch plays. The Bulldogs started sluggishly, struggling to find their rhythm on offense. By the under-12 media timeout, they trailed 15-9, having made just 3 of 15 field goal attempts and committing four turnovers in the first seven minutes. And this is the part most people miss: despite their early shooting woes, Drake's defense began to show signs of life, setting the stage for a dramatic comeback.
A pivotal moment came when Jaehshon Thomas drained a buzzer-beating three-pointer as the shot clock expired, cutting Evansville's lead to three. However, the Purple Aces responded swiftly with back-to-back threes, forcing a Drake timeout with the score at 21-12. The Bulldogs' offensive struggles persisted, but their defense kept them within striking distance, trailing 23-18 after Thomas hit his third three-pointer of the half.
The tide turned with just over two and a half minutes left in the first half. A 9-0 run, sparked by Braden Appelhans' midrange fadeaway and Eli Shetlar's five consecutive points, gave Drake its first lead of the game. The Bulldogs' defense was stellar during this stretch, forcing two turnovers and holding Evansville to nine turnovers by halftime. Drake entered the break with a slim 29-27 lead.
The second half began with Drake asserting dominance, going on a 6-0 run and hitting their first three shots. Thomas continued his hot hand, scoring two more baskets to reach double figures. Freshman Griffen Goodbary showcased his versatility, scoring five straight points—a layup and a three-pointer—to extend Drake's lead to 52-39 with 11 minutes remaining. But Evansville refused to go down without a fight, cutting the deficit to three with 7:24 left after a 9-0 run of their own. A crucial corner three by Wilguens Jr. Exacte halted Evansville's momentum, but the game remained tight until the final buzzer.
The closing minutes were a free-throw shootout, with both teams missing critical opportunities. Drake missed three free throws in the final 50 seconds, but Evansville matched their misses, keeping the score at 66-65. With four seconds left, Owen Larson missed a free throw, giving Evansville one last chance. Connor Turnbull's desperation heave at the buzzer rimmed out, sealing Drake's victory.
Here’s the bold question: Did Drake win this game, or did Evansville lose it? The Bulldogs' late-game free-throw struggles could have cost them dearly, but Evansville's inability to capitalize kept the door open. Drake head coach Eric Henderson acknowledged the team's grit, stating, 'We didn't make enough plays down the stretch, but our guys battled their tails off.'
Looking ahead, Drake (7-6 overall, 1-1 in MVC) will enjoy a holiday break before hosting Illinois State on December 29 at 8 p.m. CT, streaming on ESPN+. The Bulldogs improved to 6-0 when leading at halftime and snapped a three-game losing streak, but their 45.5% free-throw shooting—a season low—raises questions about their consistency in clutch moments.
Key Player Takeaways:
- Jaehshon Thomas led with 18 points, tying a career-high four three-pointers.
- Wilguens Jr. Exacte added 11 points, including a momentum-shifting three.
- Griffen Goodbary impressed with nine points, one shy of his career high.
- Eli Shetlar contributed eight points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Series History: Drake extended their winning streak against Evansville to 14 games, improving their all-time record to 37-28.
Final Thought: This game was a masterclass in resilience and the unpredictability of college basketball. But what do you think? Was Drake's win a triumph of perseverance, or did Evansville falter when it mattered most? Let us know in the comments!
