DES MOINES, Iowa – Senior Chris Hines scored
19 points to lead the Drake University men's basketball to a 74-64 win against
IPFW Saturday night at the Knapp Center.
With the win the Bulldogs move to 4-4 on the season and 2-1
at home. The Mastodons fall to 5-6.
Hines', a fifth-year senior transfer from Utah, found a more
active role on the offensive end and scored his highest point total since
transferring to Drake and two shy of his career high. The senior shot 50
percent from the three-point line (3-6) and led the team with six free throws
on eight attempts.
“It was really nice to see Chris Hines step up,” Drake head
coach Mark Phelps said. “We felt that his rhythm and timing would come back
later on the offensive end from the injury. That's what has happened and it
gave us a huge lift tonight.”
Junior Ben Simons (Cadillac, Mich.) continued to
leave his mark in the Drake record books. With 15 points on the night, Simons
passed Bart Friedrich's (1986-1989) 1,042 points to move to 20th on the
all-time list. Simon's also poured in three three-point buckets to move his
career total to 179, passing Aramnd LeVasseur's (1996-2000) 178 and move to
fourth all-time.
IPFW pressured Drake throughout most of the second half,
causing them 11 second-half turnovers. However, junior Richard Carter (Detroit,
Mich.) found holes in the lane and dished out a career-high eight assists. He
also badgered the Mastodons' guards and grabbed five steals, also a career
best.
“With eight assists, I thought he did a really good job of
finding guys,” Phelps said. “Eight assists and five steals, we'll take that any
day. He's a guy that's learning every game.”
The Bulldogs worked to improve their effort on the glass and
veterans Jordan Clarke (Rockville, Mary.) and Seth VanDeest (Bettendorf,
Iowa) picked up the slack. Clarke grabbed 11 boards and put in nine points,
five of which came from the free throw line. VanDeest grabbed seven boards and
added eight points on the night.
Drake held its opponent to 35 percent shooting on the night
(21-of-59) and only allowed five three-point baskets while causing 21
turnovers. The Mastodons' were provided with most of their scoring by Frank
Gaines, who ended the night with 27 points.
Sparked by eight points from Hines the Bulldogs went on a
13-3 run to end the first half including 10 straight points to take a 39-29
lead into the locker room. Drake had struggled from the field for most of the
half before going 5-of-5 to end the half. Gaines had 16 points at the break for
the Mastodons.
After Drake extended its lead to begin the second half, IPFW
fought back with intensive defensive pressure closing the gap to 50-43 with
just over 12 minutes to play in the game.
VanDeest made a pair of free throws and Micah Mason (Allegheny,
Pa.) added a fast break lay-in to extend the lead to 11, 54-43, where it stayed
for the majority of the game.
Drake will take a week off from competition during finals
week and see their next action against Iowa State in the Big 4 Classic. The
event, held at Wells Fargo Arena, will see Iowa and Northern Iowa tip at 1:30
p.m. with Drake and Iowa State to follow at 4 p.m..
