DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The entire Drake University men's basketball starting lineup scored in double figures, but the Bulldogs could not fend off a ferocious comeback by UNCW in a 76-75 loss in the College Basketball Invitational quarterfinals on Monday afternoon (March 21) at the Ocean Center.

"I thought they (UNCW) did a great job of flipping the switch and got aggressive to drive us," head coach Darian DeVries said. "We gave up a couple of threes and that got them started."
 
UNCW took a 6-5 lead with 15:35 to play in the first half on a Jaylen Sims jumper. The Seahawks did not lead again until four seconds remaining in regulation.

A balanced offensive attack built a double digit, 27-14 advantage when Tucker DeVries connected on a mid-range jumper at the 6:29 mark. Grad transfer Ayo Akinwole got involved by burying a triple with 1:45 left in the opening as the Bulldogs led 36-22.

Tremell Murphy sank a right wing triple to beat the halftime buzzer and provide his team a 41-24 halftime lead.
Early in the second half (18:04 left), Murphy eclipsed 1,000 points by converting a layup while being fouled. His free throw put the Bulldogs ahead by a 50-28 margin.

"We got on our heels and we responded to their initial run," DeVries said. "They kept coming and made a lot of plays down the stretch. It was a tough way to go. Our guys were playing so well. This one hurts. We couldn't get that one big stop to finish the game."
 
Murphy finished his Drake career with 1,001 points.

"The impact the seniors had on our team— not just in wins and losses but what they did in that locker room— helped establish our culture," DeVries said. "Tremell (Murphy) and Tank (Hemphill) what they've done the last two years helping us win over 50 games. I can't be more proud of what they've done to elevate our program and create expectations."
 
The Bulldogs controlled a 64-45 advantage with 11:08 left when UNCW ventured on a 13-0 run answered by a Hemphill driving layup with 6:16 to play and the deficit trimmed to 66-58.

UNCW continued to draw closer and Drake clung to a 75-72 lead with 1:07 remaining in regulation following a Tucker DeVries bucket in the paint.
In the final minute, the Seahawks held strong defensively, connected on a pair of free throws, Sims hit a layup from the right side of the basket to put UNCW in front 76-75 for the first time since early in the first half.

Hemphill's driving shot attempt at the buzzer did not fall as UNCW completed the comeback victory.

"Our unselfishness and the way our guys battle and compete always gives us a chance to be in games," DeVries said. "As a group, in general, we can continue to get better."
 
Drake closed out its season with a 25-11 record—the fourth 25-plus-win season in school history. The collegiate careers of Murphy, Hemphill, Akinwole and Jonah Jackson are now completed.
 
TEAM NOTES
•The Bulldogs suffered their first loss in five games where the outcome was two points or less.
•Drake shot 54.4 percent (31-57) suffering only its second loss in 11 games when shooting 50 percent or better in a game this season.
•Drake had five players reach double-figure scoring for the second straight game but its season record slipped to 6-2 when that feat occurred. 
•The Bulldogs outrebounded UNC Wilmington 30-26, suffering only their third loss in 24 games when out-rebounding opponents
•Drake fell to 17-4 this season when leading at half after seeing a 41-24 halftime lead evaporate.
 
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
•ShanQuan Hemphill, playing his final collegiate game, led a balanced scoring attack with 15 points including eight points in the first half, while grabbing a team-high seven rebounds and a team-high two steals
•Tremell Murphy and Tucker DeVries added 14 points apiece, while Garrett Sturtz had 11 points and Roman Penn 10.
•Tremell Murphy closed out his collegiate career becoming the fifth member of the current Drake team to join the 1,000 point club. Murphy has 1,001 points joining, Hemphill (1,050), Sturtz (1,069), Penn (1,221) and D.J. Wilkins (1,279).
•Tucker DeVries became just the sixth freshman in Missouri Valley Conference history to score more than 500 points, tallying 502 points.
*Tucker DeVries made two three-point baskets to move into sole possession of second on the Drake single-season freshman three-point basket list at 76.
•Tucker DeVries also finished the season setting the Drake freshman record for: rebounds-165; while ranking No. 3 in assists-76; free throws made-79 and blocked shots-30 as well as No. 4 in steals-35.
•Tucker DeVries has scored in double figures in a team-high 31 games this season.
 •Roman Penn dished out three assists, pushing his school career record total to 435.
 
THE SERIES
•This was the first meeting between the schools.