for this game
Drake's surprising season continues against West Kentucky
TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) - Missouri Valley Conference champion Drake make its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1971, taking on Western Kentucky in a West Regional first-round matchup on Friday.
The fifth-seeded Bulldogs (28-4), who were picked to finish ninth out of 10 teams in their conference, enjoyed a 21-game winning streak during the middle of the season in cruising to the MVC title.
Josh Young is averaging 15.8 points and Leonard Houston scored 14.0 per contest to lead a balanced perimeter attack for Drake. The Bulldogs make 9.2 3-pointers per game.
Drake also has the MVC Player of the Year in Adam Emmenecker, who had a great conference tournament run by averaging 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists over the three games.
The 12th-seeded Hilltoppers (27-6), who won the Sun Belt Conference tournament, enter the tournament winners of 17 of their last 18 games.
Senior guard Courtney Lee leads the team in scoring at 20.4 points per game, including 18 20-point contests.
The winner advances to play either Connecticut or San Diego in the second round on Sunday.
- WKU: 101
DRAKE: 99
Final - OT
Mar 21 3:08 PM - WKU: 88
DRAKE: 88
End of Regulation
Mar 21 2:48 PM - 207
rootsRUWTbot Added 25 roots (Close Finish, Overtime, Upset)
WKU(12) 88, Drake(5) 88 End of Reg.Mar 21 2:48 PM - 182
roots - 146
roots - 165
roots - 129
roots - 102
roots - WKU: 47
DRAKE: 38
Halftime
Mar 21 1:23 PM
Related News
- Troy recovers to defeat Western Kentucky 54-48 Mar 8
- Western Kentucky rallies late for 65-64 victory Mar 7
- Western Kentucky rolls 83-58 in Sun Belt tourney Mar 6
- Young lifts Drake over Southern Illinois 63-61 Mar 4
- Western Kentucky beats FIU 88-61 Feb 27
- Evansville beats Drake 56-53 at the buzzer Feb 27
- Western Kentucky defeats Fla. Atlantic 78-69 in OT Feb 25
- Leonard's 7 3s lead Missouri St. past Drake 75-59 Feb 24
- Young leads Drake past Cal State-Northridge 90-80 Feb 21
- Western Kentucky defeats Arkansas State 78-76 Feb 21
- Western Kentucky defeats South Alabama 99-69 Feb 18
- Drake rallies late to top Southern Illinois 79-72 Feb 16