# Drake fends off Indiana State to secure back-to-back MVC Tournament titles

- Link: https://exclusiveaccess.net/drake-fends-off-indiana-state-to-secure-back-to-back-mvc-tournament-titles/
- Published: 2024-03-11T11:05:36-04:00
- Author: Emmanuel Jenkins

 

 

Drake withstood a furious second half rally by top-seeded Indiana State to capture
its second straight State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title 84-80,
Sunday afternoon at the Enterprise Center.

No. 2 seed Drake, playing in its fourth straight MVC Tournament championship game
under head coach Darian DeVries, advances to its seventh NCAA Tournament appearance
with the championship. The Bulldogs are now 28-6 on the season.

Indiana State, the MVC’s regular-season champion and tournament top seed, fell to
28-6 on the season. The Sycamores will await their NCAA Tournament future when the
announcement comes next Sunday, March 17.

Tucker DeVries, the two-time MVC Player of the Year, scored 27 points and added 
seven rebounds in the winning effort. He walked away with MVC Tournament Most Outstanding
Player honors for the second consecutive year.

DeVries had plenty of support. Darrell Brodie contributed 17 points and a team-high
eight rebounds while Atin Wright added 17 points, as well.

Five Sycamores scored in double figures, paced by Jayson Kent’s 22 points and nine
rebounds. Isaiah Swope and Robbie Avila added 19 and 15, respectively.
 Drake utilized
red hot shooting to break up a close game in the first half, using a 22-4 run to
go up by as many as 14 in the first half. The run was aided by 15 points and three
consecutive three- pointers by Wright.

Facing a 67-49 deficit nine minutes into the second half, Indiana State battled 
back behind the inside play of Kent and Avila and Swope’s outside shooting. The 
Sycamores outscored Drake 24-5 over the next five minutes to take their first lead
of the game since the opening minutes.

With the score tied 76-76, baskets by DeVries and Conor Enright in the last two 
minutes gave Drake an 81-76 cushion that they never relinquished. The margin increased
to seven points with 15 seconds off before Indiana State’s Julian Larry closed the
scoring with a jumper at the buzzer.

Drake head coach Darian DeVries earned his 150th victory during a six-year run with
the program. He has also guided the Bulldogs to four straight MVC Tournament championship
games and has led Drake to a 13-4 record in MVC Tournament play.
 ChatGPT

Drake resiliently withstood a fierce second-half surge from top-seeded Indiana State,
clinching their second consecutive State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament
title with an 84-80 victory on Sunday afternoon at the Enterprise Center.

As the No. 2 seed, Drake, under the leadership of head coach Darian DeVries, secured
its seventh NCAA Tournament appearance by improving to a 28-6 season record. This
marked the Bulldogs’ fourth consecutive MVC Tournament championship game appearance.

Despite Indiana State’s status as the regular-season MVC champion and tournament
top seed, they fell to a 28-6 season record. The Sycamores will eagerly await their
NCAA Tournament fate following the announcement on Sunday, March 17.

Tucker DeVries, the two-time MVC Player of the Year, played a pivotal role in Drake’s
victory, notching 27 points and seven rebounds, and earning MVC Tournament Most 
Outstanding Player honors for the second straight year. DeVries received ample support
from Darrell Brodie, who contributed 17 points and eight rebounds, and Atin Wright,
who also scored 17 points.

Five Sycamores posted double-figure scores, led by Jayson Kent’s 22 points and nine
rebounds, with Isaiah Swope and Robbie Avila adding 19 and 15 points, respectively.

Drake surged ahead in the first half with scorching shooting, fueled by a 22-4 run
that saw them lead by as many as 14 points. Wright’s 15 points, including three 
consecutive three-pointers, were instrumental in this run.

Despite trailing by 18 points early in the second half, Indiana State mounted a 
remarkable comeback, spurred by Kent, Avila, and Swope. They outscored Drake 24-
5 over a five-minute stretch to seize their first lead since the game’s outset.

With the score knotted at 76-76, crucial baskets from DeVries and Conor Enright 
in the final two minutes propelled Drake to an 81-76 advantage, which they maintained
until the final buzzer. Coach Darian DeVries not only secured his 150th victory 
during his tenure but also boasts an impressive record of four consecutive MVC Tournament
championship game appearances and a 13-4 record in MVC Tournament play.