Drake pulls away for upset win over Missouri in West Region

Field Level Media|published: Thu 20th March, 22:32 2025

Mar 20, 2025; Wichita, KS, USA; Drake Bulldogs guard Bennett Stirtz (14) dribbles against Missouri Tigers guard Tony Perkins (12) in the first half of a first round men’s NCAA Tournament game at Intrust Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Tre. Smith-Imagn Images

Bennett Stirtz had 21 points and four assists as No. 11 Drake upset No. 6 Missouri 67-57 in the first round of NCAA Tournament's West Region on Thursday night in Wichita, Kan.

Tavion Banks added 15 points for the Bulldogs (31-3), who will face the winner of No. 3 Texas Tech and No. 14 UNC Wilmington game on Saturday.

Caleb Grill scored 14 points and Tamar Bates added 10 for the Tigers (22-12).

This matchup presented a clash of playing styles, as fast-paced Missouri came into the game ranked ninth in the nation in scoring offense at 84.5 points per game.

Drake, featuring a more-deliberate attack, ranked first in scoring defense, allowing just 58.4 points per contest.

The Tigers played a pressuring man-to-man defense with some matchup zone mixed in. They tried to speed up the Bulldogs and force live-ball turnovers to feed their transition game.

But the Bulldogs dictated a slower pace by running a patient halfcourt offense. Stirtz, the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, scored nine early points as Drake pushed to a 13-7 lead with 11:05 left in the first half.

Jacob Crews hit a 3-point jumper to stabilize the Tigers, but Stirtz countered with a triple of his own to put Drake up 18-12.

Missouri picked up its pressure and got transition baskets from Grill and Bates, but, after a timeout, the Bulldogs got into their offense as Isaiah Jackson's layup off a Stirtz pass upped Drake's advantage to 28-18.

Mark Mitchell scored five unanswered points for the Tigers before Banks' last-second layup gave the Bulldogs a 30-23 halftime lead.

Drake pushed its lead to 43-28 with 12:40 left to play with Mitch Mascari hitting a 3-pointer, Banks converting his steal into a layup, Isaia Howard throwing down a baseline dunk and Banks dunking in transition.

The Bulldogs kept Missouri from scoring a basket for nearly eight minutes in the second half before the Tigers finally got into gear with Grill triggering a 10-0 run with a 3-point jumper.

After Missouri trimmed the deficit to 52-51 with 4:28 to play, Stirtz hit a jumper and Cam Manyawu scored inside to keep Missouri at bay.

Banks then threw down a transition dunk with 58 seconds left to ice the game.

--Field Level Media

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