In a captivating first-round clash of the NCAA Tournament, No. 11 seed Drake triumphed over No. 6 seed Missouri with a final score of 67-57. The Bulldogs showcased resilience and tactical prowess, overcoming challenges posed by the Tigers in a game that unfolded on Thursday evening. Missouri entered the contest after a commendable performance in the SEC Tournament, where they claimed one victory against Mississippi State before succumbing to Florida. Meanwhile, Drake brought momentum from their MVC Championship win over Bradley. As the match progressed, it featured intense moments, strategic timeouts, and crucial free throws that ultimately decided the fate of the two teams.

The opening stages set the tone for what would be an enthralling encounter. Missouri's initial possession saw Anthony Robinson draw a foul but miss both free throws. Drake capitalized swiftly through Bennett Stirtz, who converted two successful free throws to open the scoring. Tony Perkins soon responded with a turnaround jumper to equalize at 2-2. Josh Gray added points via free throws, granting Missouri its first lead at 4-3. However, Drake reasserted control through consistent scoring, including a trey by Stirtz, which extended their advantage to 18-12. Despite attempts by Caleb Grill and Tamar Bates to narrow the gap, Drake maintained a steady lead heading into halftime at 30-23.

The second half commenced with Perkins drawing a foul inside and successfully converting both free throws, reducing the deficit to five points. Drake countered effectively, expanding their lead through consecutive possessions. At the U16 media timeout, Drake led 37-28. A pivotal moment occurred when Mizzou called a timeout following Drake's largest lead of the game at 39-28. Despite Missouri’s efforts to rally, highlighted by Marques Warrick's three-pointer cutting the lead to single digits at 47-39, Drake continued to dominate. With under four minutes remaining, Missouri embarked on a promising 9-0 run, trimming the deficit to just one point at 52-51. Yet, critical errors, including missed opportunities and turnovers, allowed Drake to secure the victory.

As the final whistle blew, Drake celebrated a hard-fought triumph that eliminated Missouri from the tournament. Their ability to withstand pressure, capitalize on Missouri's mistakes, and execute effectively at the free-throw line proved decisive. This victory underscores Drake's potential as a formidable competitor in the NCAA Tournament, while Missouri will reflect on a season marked by significant achievements and lessons learned in this challenging matchup.