Drake and Loyola-Chicago both entered this late-season series with just one conference loss and hopes of both putting themselves in a position to earn an at-large bid for the NCAA tournament. The biggest storyline heading into this weekend was the absence of ShanQuan Hemphill for Drake.
Hemphill is the Bulldogs leading scorer this season at 14.1 points a game and second in rebounding at 6.3. Hemphill had surgery this past week on a fracture in his foot that will leave the senior out for four weeks. Drake is hopeful he will return in time for March Madness should Drake make it.
The two-bid Missouri Valley dream is still alive for the Ramblers and Bulldogs as the two split the much-anticipated series at a win apiece. A dominant second half from Loyola on Saturday lead to an empathetic 27 point win.
Sunday was a much different story, a grind it out gritty game saw Drake come back late and turn out a much-needed win 51-50. Drake was held to just 105 points in 85 minutes of game action this weekend. Drake had been averaging over 80 points per game prior to the weekend series. A stout defensive performance and some clutch baskets down the stretch were enough for the Bulldogs to move to 20-2.
Here’s a breakdown of both Saturday and Sunday’s contests as well as the impacts that these results have on the current bracketology.