Bennett Stirtz scored 21 points and No. 11 seed Drake, a team relying heavily on Division II transfers, held on after blowing most of a 15-point lead to beat sixth-seeded Missouri 67-57 on Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.Tavion Banks added 15 points and nine rebounds for the Bulldogs (31-3), who along with first-year coach Ben McCollum advanced to a second-round matchup with third-seeded Texas Tech on Saturday.Caleb Grill had 14 points for Missouri (22-12). Tamar Bates had 10 before fouling out.As expected, the game was a stylistic clash: Drake and its nation-leading scoring defense trying to force a rock fight, and Missouri with its top-10 scoring offense trying to push the tempo whenever it had the chance.There were very few until the second half.The Bulldogs made every shot a chore, and at the other end, they patiently probed for openings. Usually it was Stirtz — one of the Northwest Missouri State quartet who followed McCollum to Drake — who was knocking down a 3 or driving to the rim.The Missouri Valley champs forged a 30-23 halftime lead. And it appeared as if the small school from Des Moines — with an enrollment of 4,774 — would be able to put the game away, extending the advantage to 43-28 with 12:40 to go.That's when Missouri began to press in an attempt to push the pace, and the Bulldogs struggled to deal with it. At one point, the Tigers ripped off 10 consecutive points, closing within 52-51 on Mark Mitchell's free throw with 4:28 remaining.Drake answered with six consecutive points to restore its cushion, and the Tigers were unable to finish their comeback.TakeawaysDrake went 12 of 24 from the foul line but survived to snap a four-game losing streak in first-round NCAA Tournament games.Missouri had lost four of its last five entering the tournament, and the Tigers sure looked like a slumping team in the first half. The result was a deficit that they were simply unable to overcome.Up nextThe Bulldogs will play Saturday for a spot in their first Sweet 16 since 1971.» Subscribe to vlog's YouTube page» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google PlayPHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Bennett Stirtz scored 21 points and No. 11 seed Drake, a team relying heavily on Division II transfers, held on after blowing most of a 15-point lead to beat sixth-seeded Missouri 67-57 on Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Tavion Banks added 15 points and nine rebounds for the Bulldogs (31-3), who along with first-year coach Ben McCollum advanced to a second-round matchup with third-seeded Texas Tech on Saturday.
Jamie Squire
Tavion Banks #6 of the Drake Bulldogs shoots a layup during the second half in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament against the Missouri Tigers at INTRUST Arena on March 20, 2025 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Caleb Grill had 14 points for Missouri (22-12). Tamar Bates had 10 before fouling out.
As expected, the game was a stylistic clash: Drake and its nation-leading scoring defense trying to force a rock fight, and Missouri with its top-10 scoring offense trying to push the tempo whenever it had the chance.
There were very few until the second half.
Andy Hancock/NCAA Photos
Bennett Stirtz #14 of the Drake Bulldogs drives the ball against Missouri Tigers during the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at INTRUST Arena on March 20, 2025 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Andy Hancock/NCAA Photos/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Andy Hancock/NCAA Photos
Bennett Stirtz #14 of the Drake Bulldogs shoots a layup against Missouri Tigers during the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at INTRUST Arena on March 20, 2025 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Andy Hancock/NCAA Photos/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
The Bulldogs made every shot a chore, and at the other end, they patiently probed for openings. Usually it was Stirtz — one of the Northwest Missouri State quartet who followed McCollum to Drake — who was knocking down a 3 or driving to the rim.
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The Missouri Valley champs forged a 30-23 halftime lead. And it appeared as if the small school from Des Moines — with an enrollment of 4,774 — would be able to put the game away, extending the advantage to 43-28 with 12:40 to go.
Andy Hancock/NCAA Photos
Bennett Stirtz #14 of the Drake Bulldogs shoots a layup against Missouri Tigers during the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at INTRUST Arena on March 20, 2025 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Andy Hancock/NCAA Photos/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
That's when Missouri began to press in an attempt to push the pace, and the Bulldogs struggled to deal with it. At one point, the Tigers ripped off 10 consecutive points, closing within 52-51 on Mark Mitchell's free throw with 4:28 remaining.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Drake answered with six consecutive points to restore its cushion, and the Tigers were unable to finish their comeback.
Evert Nelson
A Drake Bulldogs fan holds up a sign during the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at INTRUST Arena on March 20, 2025 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Evert Nelson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Takeaways
Drake went 12 of 24 from the foul line but survived to snap a four-game losing streak in first-round NCAA Tournament games.
Missouri had lost four of its last five entering the tournament, and the Tigers sure looked like a slumping team in the first half. The result was a deficit that they were simply unable to overcome.
Andy Hancock/NCAA Photos
Head coach Ben McCollum of the Drake Bulldogs walks back to the bench during the first round of the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament held at INTRUST Arena on March 20, 2025 in Wichita, Kansas. (Photo by Andy Hancock/NCAA Photos/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Up next
The Bulldogs will play Saturday for a spot in their first Sweet 16 since 1971.
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