(Photo Credit: Mick Lite)
St. Louis, Mo – Game two of the opening day of the 2016 Arch Madness Tournament saw the #10 seed Drake Bulldogs (7-23, 2-16) face off against the #7 seed Missouri State Bears (12-18, 8-10). The two teams ended their regular season in very different places despite both teams scoring almost the exact same amount of points during the season (Drake-2026pts, Mo State-2028pts).
However, Neutral courts  favor Drake, as they are 2-2 in such scenarios this season, Mo State was 0-3.
First Half:
14:35 First Half:
Mo State would end the trading of baskets when Chris Kendrix hit three straight 3-pointers giving his team an early 11-6 lead. They would keep that five-point advantage for the most part until the 11:01 marker.
10:51 First Half:
Kendrix continues to impress early, 3-3 still from the field (all 3-point shots) and 5-5 from the free throw line. 18-13 Bears over Bulldogs. With Kendrix at the moment outscoring the Bulldogs by himself 14-13.
5:00 First Half:
Drake continues to keep the game within a few baskets, every time Mo State gets ahead by a few baskets, Drake responds in kind, now down just 27-26 to the Bears.
2:22 First Half:
Mo State opens up it’s biggest lead of the contest with an eight-point lead, 36-28. A 10-1 run in their favor nearing the end of the half. Kendrix with 17-points to lead the way for the Bears. Dominik Olejniczak has 10-points for the Bulldogs.
Halftime:
Missouri State Bears goes into the half up 40-30 over the Drake University Bulldogs.
Half time facts:
Mo State had only hit one more field goal in the first half than Drake (Mo State 13-28, Drake 12-31).
Every starter for both teams scored a field goal in the first half.
Drake outrebounded Mo State 19-16 but recorded no blocked shots, Mo State however blocked four shots.
Second Half:
17:01 Second Half:
Drake came out of the gate hot! they began the half on a 11-2 run to cut the lead to 41-43.
16:15 Second Half:
Drake takes the lead during their 13-2 run, now leading 43-42. Mo State would respond with a 3-pointer to reclaim the lead a minute later in an attempt to slow Drake down.
14:27 Second Half:
Both team’s offenses are on fire, a pair of 3-pointers gave Mo State a 50-47 lead. Drake looks to respond again behind Olejniczak and his 16-points.
10:58 Second Half:
Back to a familiar place, Drake is trailing by five-points 55-50.
8:53 Second Half:
Dequon Miller is doing in the second half what his teammate Chris Kendrix did in the first half, drain buckets. He extends the Bears lead to 59-53. Miller now has 14-points on the night, Kendrix still leads all scorers with 20. Olejniczak has 16-points for Drake.
Miller also leads the Bears in assist with three, he also leads the team is rebounds with seven.
3:49 Second Half:
Drake gets within one-point! 61-62 Mo State as time becomes a luxury Drake does not have.
2:11 Second Half:
Drake finally ties it up! Their fans start getting rowdy, and a foul against Mo State gives Drake the lead by two! 66-64 Drake!
1:31 Second Half:
Mo State has lived and died by the 3-pointer tonight, why change it up. Ryan Kreklow gives the Bears the lead 67-66.
:31 Second Half:
Drake gains possession and calls a timeout to discuss a potential final play. 67-66 Bears still.
:11 Second Half:
TURNOVER Drake! The Bears go to the foul line. Loomis Gerring hits both of his shots, now a 69-66 lead. Drake will look to Graham Woodward or Reed Timmer, who have combined for 6-8 from the 3-point line.
:00 Second Half:
By the slightest of margins Drake Hail Mary shot rattles out. Missouri State survives by a score of 69-67 to meet up with the #2 seed Evansville Purple Aces at 6:00 P.M. Friday.
