DES MOINES, IOWA -- San Diego State took advantage of cold free throw shooting by Drake to escape with a 76-73 overtime victory in the Mountain West-Missouri Valley Conference Challenge series Tuesday night at the Drake Knapp Center.

The Aztecs, who posted a school-record 26-10 mark last year while advancing to the semifinal round of the 2009 NIT, improved to 9-3.

Drake, suffering its second straight loss, fell to 5-7 entering its Missouri Valley Conference opener against Bradley Dec. 29.

The two teams combined for 20 three-point baskets but in the end the contest boiled down to which squad was able to make its free throws.

The Bulldogs, who entered the game ranked third in the NCAA in free throw percentage (.787), shot a season low 57.1 percent from the charity line making 12 of 21 shots.

San Diego State, which was only hitting 58.4 percent from the line, shot 70.8 percent.

Drake shot a sizzling 66.7 percent in the second half, making 12 of 18 shots to rally from a 36-31 halftime deficit.

The Bulldogs used a 12-0 run midway through the second half to construct a 58-51 lead with 6:08 left in the contest.

Three-point baskets by senior guard Josh Young and reserve forward Bill Eaddy ignited the spurt.

But Drake made just two of seven free throws down the stretch.

With the score knotted at 66-66, Young missed the front end of a bonus situation with 39.2 seconds left in regulation.

The Aztecs' D.J. Gay missed a layup with five seconds left with Drake's Adam Templeton grabbing the rebound before the regulation horn sounded.
 
San Diego State scored the first six points of overtime to enjoy a 72-67 lead.

The Bulldogs made just one basket in the overtime - a layup by Craig Stanley with 1:56 left to pull Drake within 72-68.

Billy White's free throw pushed San Diego State's lead to 73-68 with 1:32 left.

Young sank three straight free throws with 1:22 remaining to pull Drake within 73-71.

Two free throws by Malcom Thomas pushed the Aztecs' led back up to 75-71 with 1:02 left.

Stanley was fouled on a three-point shot. He made two free throws to cut the deficit to 75-73 with 43.9 seconds left.

San Diego State then committed a shot clock violation on the ensuing possession with 7.7 seconds left giving Drake one last opportunity.

But Stanley had a layup blocked by Gay with 1.2 seconds left allowing San Diego State to sneak away with its ninth straight overtime victory.

Young led Drake with 17 points, while Stanley came off the bench to tie a season high with 13 points.

Junior guard Ryan Wedel added 11 points and Templeton chipped in with 10 points and five rebounds.

Freshman center Seth VanDeest led Drake with seven rebounds.

Drake made 11 three-point baskets marking the sixth game this season in which the Bulldogs reached double figures.

Gay paced a balanced San Diego State attack with 18 points, while White and senior reserve guard Kelvin Davis had 16 points apiece.