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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Flooding, lightning strikes, etc. have cost @RacersHoops two home games. Had to play 'neutral site' tonight instead of at home and Wednesday's goes from home to away. Tough break for the Racers, and the whole area has been hit with difficulties. #FatherHarry
Murray State's scheduled home game Wednesday vs. Southern Illinois being moved to Banterra Center in Carbondale. #ValleyHoops
Gigantic game for @BradleyUMBB today in Des Moines. If they have a chance to catch @DrakeBulldogsMB, they have to win today. The Bulldogs can basically win the title today. @BustingBrackets breaks it all down. #FatherHarry https://bit.ly/3EGiVgi
Not rooting for any particular @ValleyHoops, but chaos is always fun. If things break certain ways, after today there could be a six-way tie for fifth place.
Fun to listen to @MLBLarry on the @SIU_Basketball/@BelmontMBB game tonight. Good job brother. #FatherHarry
