NOV. 30, 2008

CANCUN, MEXICO - Senior forward Brent Heemskerk (Grand Rapids, Mich.), appearing in his 100th career game, scored a season-high 17 points as the Drake men's basketball team held off New Mexico, 68-62, to capture third place in the inaugural Cancun Challenge at the Moon Palace Resort Sunday night.

Senior forward Jonathan Cox (Barrington, Ill.) enjoyed his first double-double of the season with 12 points and a season-high 14 rebounds for the Bulldogs who moved to 3-2.

A jumper by Heemskerk gave Drake its largest lead of the game at 62-48 with 6 minutes 28 seconds left, but the Bulldogs would finish the contest without making a basket, missing their last three shots while committing four turnovers.

However, Drake preserved the win by making six of eight free throws down the stretch.

"This was a good win against a talented New Mexico team," said Drake head coach Mark Phelps. "We had great leadership from our seniors tonight. They did a tremendous job."

Young and junior guard Craig Stanley (Plano, Texas) added 10 points apiece for Drake. Stanley dished out six assists.

Senior reserve guard Jacob Baryenbruch (Spring Green, Wis.) added seven points, including a trey, while sinking all four free throw attempts in the waning minutes.

Drake broke away from a 31-31 halftime tie by making its first five shots from the floor, including three-point baskets from Josh Young (Lawton, Okla.), Adam Templeton (Rapid City, S.D.) and Cox to forge to a 45-38 lead with 16:23 remaining.

Then Heemskerk gave Drake its first double-digit lead of the game at 50-40 with a trey from the right baseline with 13:06 left. It marked the first three-point basket by Heemskerk since the 2005-06 campaign.

"It felt good to make that three-pointer," said Heemskerk, who doubled his scoring output of eight points against Vanderbilt Saturday. "Coach (Mark Phelps) is giving me a lot of confidence in allowing me to take that shot."

Drake finished with eight three-point baskets, coming from five different players.

"When we're hitting on all cylinders we're tough to beat," said Cox. "We showed that in spots tonight."

Drake outrebounded New Mexico, 36-29.

Two free throws by Stanley with 27.7 seconds left enabled Drake to tie the game at halftime at 31-31.

There were four lead changes in the first half and the score was tied twice.

Drake overcame 36.8 shooting from the floor by sinking 15 of 22 free throws compared to 6 of 10 charity tosses by New Mexico.

The Lobos enjoyed a 13-5 lead at the 13:50 mark, before Drake went on an 11-2 run to grab its first lead of the game at 16-15 following a layup by Stanley.

Drake will open a three-game homestand this Wednesday playing Lincoln (Mo.).