ST. LOUIS, MO. -- Top-seeded Northern Iowa took advantage of a record scoring drought without a basket by Drake to post a come-from-behind 55-40 quarterfinal round victory past Drake in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Friday.
The Bulldogs started the game by picking up where they left off from Thursday's 63-61 opening round victory against Southern Illinois.
Drake opened the game by making 10 of its first 14 shots, including four three-point baskets.
A three-point basket from the top of the key by freshman forward Aaron Hawley with 7 minutes 59 seconds left punctuated the scoring spree to give Drake its biggest lead of the game at 24-13.
But Drake would go the next 20 minutes 59 seconds without making a field goal.
The Bulldogs missed 16 shots during the stretch, while committing eight turnovers.
Drake closed out the first half missing its last eight shots. Northern Iowa went on a 10-0 run cutting the 11-point deficit to 24-23 at halftime.
But that was only the beginning as the Panthers outscored Drake, 23-2, in the opening 11 minutes nine seconds of the second half to enjoy a 46-27 lead.
Junior guard Ryan Wedel finally ended Drake's dry spell when he made a three-point basket from the left wing with 7:00 left.
Drake shot just 32.5 percent from the floor, including 16.7 percent in the second half.
"Over the course of the game when you play a physical style of defense which they're (Northern Iowa) very, very efficient at, the shot typically goes like that," said Drake coach Mark Phelps.
Senior guard Josh Young, playing in his final collegiate game, led Drake with nine points. Wedel added eight.
"I think the most disappointing part about it (dry spell) is I know how good a shooting team we are," said Young. "I think yesterday in the second half we showed we can shoot the all pretty well.
"Just not to see those shots go down and knowing we could have knocked them down was kind of frustrating."
Forward Adam Templeton, who also played his final Drake game, had a game-high seven rebounds.
"There are already a few tears dropping in the locker room realizing you've played your final college game," said Templeton. "It's hard to believe five years for me and four years for Josh have already gone by.
"What I can say is I've had a tremendous time here at Drake with great teammates and great coaches that care about each other. And it will always be remembered."
Young closed out his Drake career ranking first in scoring (1,789), three-point baskets made (255) and free throws made (442).
He ranked seventh in steals (138) and ninth in assists (263).
"I guess its kind of surreal now that it's over," said Young. "I wouldn't trade my experience here for anything.
"It has been amazing...I've always had people that have given me support. My family, my teammates and my coaches."
