DES MOINES, Iowa - Senior Brady Ellingson (Menomonee Falls, Wis.) matched a career high with 25 points on 7-of-8 three-point shooting to lead the Drake University men's basketball team to a 74-63 win over Missouri State Sunday afternoon in the Knapp Center. The win improved Drake to 8-1 at home this season and was the team's second-straight double-digit Missouri Valley conference win.
 
"I thought Brady [Ellingson] was really tremendous the whole game," said Drake head coach Darian DeVries. "We've got to get him some more shots. I'm proud of the guys' effort. They finished it out well, and it was another good win."
 
Ellingson was 9-of-10 overall from the field and his seven three-pointers tied for the seventh most by a Bulldog in a game in program history. He also added three rebounds and three assists.
 
"I just feel like I have it going, the shot feels effortless," Ellingson said of his career night. "I thought my teammates did a great job screening for me and finding me the ball when I was open."
 
Ellingson continues to lead the MVC in three-point shooting at 24-of-39 (.615) in league games this season.
 
D.J. Wilkins also scored in double-figures for the Bulldogs with 13 points for his eighth-straight game in double-digits while Tremell Murphy added 11 points to help Drake improve to 14-5 overall and 3-3 in the MVC.
 
Missouri State (8-11, 2-4 MVC) was led by 15 points from Jarred Dixon and 12 points and eight boards from Tulio Da Silva.
 
Ellingson couldn't miss in the first half going 5-of-5 from the three-point arc for 17 first-half points. Ellingson's output and DJ Wilkins eight points helped Drake to a 13-point lead at the end of the half while the defense limited MSU to 35.7 percent shooting and 1-of-10 from the arc in the first 20 minutes.
 
"We got off to a quick start, and the way we ended the first half was a big piece to coming out with the win," DeVries said.
 
In the second half, Missouri State answered with a 12-4 run to cut their deficit to five with 15 minutes remaining, but Ellingson answered with a jumper to stop the rally and put Drake back in control.
 
Ellingson's final three-pointer put Drake up 16 points, 69-53, with four minutes to play and the Bulldogs lead remained at 14 or more for the remainder of the game until two MSU baskets in the final minute trimmed the lead down to the final margin.
 
The Bulldogs remain home at the Knapp Center Wednesday night, Jan. 23 when they continue conference play against Evansville. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 pm.