Missouri Valley Tournament: Bennett Stirtz, Tavion Banks lead Drake past Bradley 63-48 for 3rd straight title
The Bulldogs (30-3) will be making their eighth NCAA Tournament appearance and fourth in the past five years. They won the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship for the first time since 2019.
A 3-pointer by Demarion Burch gave Bradley a 27-24 lead with four minutes left in the first half but the Braves did not score again until 15:20 remained in the second half. Drake finished the first half with a 7-0 run to lead 31-27 and the Bulldogs added the first six points of the second half.
Drake led 46-41 with seven minutes left in regulation, then Bradley went cold again. The Bulldogs went on a 15-2 run capped by a dunk and a 3-pointer by Stirtz.
Bradley (26-8) went nearly 5 1/2 minutes without a made field goal before Darius Hannah scored in the paint to make it 61-47. Hannah's bucket turned out to be the Braves' only basket in seven attempts over the final 7:17.
Hannah led Bradley with 19 points, which included 7-of-11 shooting. Bradley shot 52% in the first half and 28% in the second, finishing at 42% for the game.
Stirtz made 5 of 7 3-pointers and was 7 for 13 overall for Drake. Banks had a game-high nine rebounds. Drake hit on 46% from the field.
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USA Today
10 hours ago
- USA Today
Keegan Bradley confirms his U.S. team will have a bonding trip ahead of Ryder Cup
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New York Post
10 hours ago
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San Francisco Chronicle
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Keegan Bradley as a playing captain? Rory McIlroy thinks the Ryder Cup is too big for that now
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