MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Drake University men's tennis team lost to the Alabama Crimson Tide, 6-1, on Friday afternoon at the Baseline Tennis Center.
 
The Bulldogs began promisingly as they seized the doubles point. Barny Thorold/Oliver Johansson won 6-4 at No. 1, and Finley Hall/Reid Jarvis prevailed 7-6 over the No. 40 ranked doubles team in the nation, Riccardo Roberto and Alexey Nesterov.
 
The Crimson Tide, who entered the match receiving votes in the latest ITA poll, swung momentum back in their favor during singles play.
 
Thorold fought valiantly at No. 3. He dropped the first set, 6-4, but battled back to claim the second set, 7-6 (7-4). Thorold fell in the 10-point tiebreaker, 10-3. He was the lone Bulldog to force a third set.
 
Drake (1-6) continues its challenging nonconference schedule when it travels to Eugene on Sunday, Feb. 2 for a dual against the Oregon Ducks. The action is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. CST.