St. Louis, MO – You need seniors to win post season tournaments, but Missouri Valley freshmen were making noise in Thursday’s opening round games.
In Drake’s 81-66 win over Bradley Joey King was the spark plug for a sluggish Bulldog offense. Midway through the first half he entered he game and promptly scored ten of the teams next 12 points. The 6’9″ Minnesota native finished with 15 points with an array of inside and outside shots.
He snatched six rebounds and was a difference maker for Coach Mark Phelps’ team. Drake wins the game and earns the privilege of playing the 24-7 Creighton Bluejays on Friday.
MVC ‘Freshman of the Year’ Marcus Marshall was equally impressive in the second game. Marshall is from Minnesota too. Can you say ‘Minnesota Twins’? Marshall averages 11 points per game and demonstrated that ability you look for… he can get his own shot!
He finished with 18 points and many times was pitted against Southern Illinois freshman Anthony Beane Junior. His father is one of Barry Hinson’s assistant coaches and shows flashes of exciting ability too. Marshall’s Bears prevailed 61-53.
The ‘Baby Bears’ are the seventh youngest team in the nation and fellow freshmen Gavin Thurman, Dorrian Williams and Bruce Marshall joined Marcus Marshall in setting a Missouri State freshman class scoring record as Coach Paul Lusk gave them plenty of playing time this season.
Friday’s quarter-finals find more of the upper classmen waiting, but at least for one night, the freshmen were in charge!
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. @DrakeBulldogsMB has 21 votes in the AP Top 25 poll AND 1 vote in the coaches' poll. Bulldogs are 57 in the NET. Wins over Kansas State (73 NET), Vanderbilt (42 NET) & @ @BradleyUMBB (83 NET) could all be Q1 wins when it all shakes out. Those are moving metrics. #FatherHarry
The first place @DrakeBulldogsMB survive and defeat @IndStBasketball 85-81 in overtime. Bennett Stirtz with 20 points & 7 assists. Samage Teel with 26 for the Trees. #FatherHarry
16th time in Ben Jacobson's 19 seasons at @UNImbb with at least 16 wins. #FatherHarry
Wow. @UNImbb comes from way down to end up winning by 3. 16 wins and 10 in the @ValleyHoops for the Panthers. #FatherHarry
