NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Murray State and Drake swapped the lead 19 times before the Racers pulled away in the final three minutes of the game to defeat the Bulldogs, 68-59, in the final game of the Challenge In Music City Sunday afternoon.

Drake (1-6) was led by 17 points from Gary Ricks, Jr. (Los Angeles, Calif.) on 6-of-11 shooting as the senior was named to the all-tournament team by pouring in 16 points per game over the three games in Nashville. Chris Caird (Daventry, England) added 16 points and converted on six of his nine attempts.

Drake's offense shot 50 percent in the loss while holding Murray State (3-4) to 42.6 percent shooting. However, turnovers and rebounding proved to be the Bulldogs' undoing as they committed 20 turnovers and surrendered 19 offensive rebounds. The Racers scored 25 points off of Drake turnovers and had 19 second-chance points.

“The effort was there tonight and if we can sustain that, we can have something to build on,” said Drake head coach Ray Giacoletti. “You look at the stat sheet and they had 19 offensive rebounds. They were big and physical, but you have to keep fighting inside.”

Jarvis Williams scored 20 points with 10 rebounds for the victors while three other players added double-figure scoring performances.

Drake held a 1-point, 36-35, lead at half behind 13 points from Ricks. Neither team led by more than three points for the first 13 minutes of the second half until the Racers reeled off a 10-0 run fueled by a pair of three-pointers from T.J. Sapp to take a 8-point, 56-48, lead with 5:46 left.

The Bulldogs answered that charge with a 5-0 spurt off four points from Caird, including a hard-fought putback off an offensive rebound. Unfortunately, turnovers nipped that run with Drake committing three-straight errors to allow Murray State to build its lead to 11 points, 64-53, with 1:23 left in the contest.

“We were right there in the basketball game a turned it over three times,” Giacoletti said. “You have to make simple plays there and not make hero plays. You can't panic in those situations. But we have something to build on from an effort standpoint. That's the standard now.”

Drake attempted to extend the game in the waning seconds, but could get no closer than seven points as Murray State converted at the free-throw line.

The Bulldogs leave the Challenge In Music City with losses to eventual tournament champion Valparaiso and second-place Portland in addition to Sunday's loss.

“These were three really good teams,” Giacoletti said. “We played good competition and there's no moral victories, but we have the effort where it needs to be and we've got to be better with the basketball.”

The Bulldogs, who have played five games in eight days return to Des Moines to rest for their next opponent, North Dakota, on Saturday, Dec. 6. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:05 p.m.